Box Score by Kelsey Segren, Sports Information Assistant
SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth fell 1-0 to visiting Pacific Lutheran on Saturday in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match in the Whitworth Pine Bowl.
Dane Helle scored in the 79th minute to give Pacific Lutheran (1-0-0, 1-0-0 NWC) a season-opening win. Whitworth (0-1-0, 0-1-0) finished with the lead in shots (13-7) and corner kicks (6-4) in the loss. The Lutes attempted five shots on goal, while the Pirates finished with three.
Whitworth and Pacific Lutheran entered halftime in a scoreless draw. The Pirates took six shots in the half, but none on goal. The Lutes managed four shots, two on goal, with Whitworth's Jamison Gunhus making the saves in his Pirate debut.
Johnathan Guglielmetti drove a shot into the hands of PLU goalkeeper Nicholas Gaston for the Pirates' first shot on goal in the 58th minute.
Scott Penner made a critical defensive save for the Pirates ten minutes later, getting in the way of a header from Sam Erickson.
Helle sent in the match-winner for the Lutes in the 79th minute, sending a low shot into the right side of the net. Sammy Tafolla was credited with the assist.
Dominic Gusman had a chance to tie the game with five minutes left but Gaston knocked the shot into the crossbar.
Whitworth and Pacific Lutheran play again tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. in the Whitworth Pine Bowl.
