By: Caden Frank
SPOKANE, Wash. – The Whitworth men's soccer team is preparing for a crucial weekend as it hosts the conference-leading Pacific Lutheran Lutes on Saturday and the Puget Sound Loggers on Sunday. Both matches kick off at 2:30 as the second halves of women's-men's doubleheaders.
Check the Whitworth men's soccer schedule for live links to follow the action.
The Pirates: Whitworth (8-3-1 overall, 6-1-1 NWC) extended its winning streak to six with a pair of dominant home wins last weekend to take sole possession of second place in the NWC, just a point behind Pacific Lutheran.
The Pirates' offensive attack was the story last weekend as they racked up 13 goals in two matches. Cole Friesen and Eric Shaporda each scored a hat trick to headline the victories. Shaporda scored his hat trick just fifteen minutes into Saturday's match as Whitworth jumped out to a 6-1 halftime lead against the visiting Lewis & Clark Pioneers. Friesen managed two goals of his own in that match.
In Sunday's game against George Fox, the Pirates again left no doubt. Friesen scored his hat trick in just 40 minutes, finding the back of the net in the 11th, 38th, and 40th minute on the way to a 5-0 Whitworth lead at the break. Beckett Arthur flashed his brilliance as well sending a header into the top right corner for a 22nd minute goal before sending his second shot screaming past the keeper to extend Whitworth's lead to six in the 61st minute. The Pirates' 7-0 win on Sunday over the Bruins was their largest conference victory since 2016 when they defeated Pacific 7-0.
Friesen's record pace: Friesen has been simply unstoppable lately. The sophomore's historic tear has included two or more goals in his last five matches, assists in his last two, as well as Sunday's hat trick. In total, Friesen has scored 16 goals which puts him first in the NWC and third in the nation for Division III. He also ranks fourth in the country in total points per game with 2.92. Not to mention, with eight matches remaining Friesen is just five goals shy of Whitworth's all-time record for goals in a single season. The record of 21 goals set in 2015 is currently held by assistant coach Karl Muelheims.
The Opponents: Pacific Lutheran (7-1-4 overall, 6-0-2 NWC) currently leads the NWC. The Lutes rank first in the conference in goals scored (42) as well as goals allowed (11). They've outscored opponents by an average of 2.58 goals per game. PLU defeated Whitworth 4-1 back in September and is coming off two wins last week (6-2 over Puget Sound and 4-0 over Willamette). They are coached by John Yorke who is in his 20th season at Pacific Lutheran and has led the Lutes to NWC titles in four of the last five seasons. Inside the lines, the Lutes' attack is led by Craig Johnson and Trevor Thompson. Johnson ranks second in the conference in goals (13) and points (30), trailing Whitworth's Friesen in both categories. Thompson is not far behind, ranking in the NWC's top five in goals (6) and points (17). Whitworth's last win over Pacific Lutheran was a 1-0 victory in February of 2021, but the Lutes have won 10 of the last 11 meetings.
Puget Sound (5-3-2 overall, 3-3-2 NWC) is currently fifth in the conference, coming off a split weekend at home where they fell 6-2 to Pacific Lutheran on Wednesday, but beat Linfield 1-0 on Sunday. The Loggers have been stingy defensively, allowing only 14 goals which ranks second in the conference. They've shut out their opponents four times this season. Puget Sound is coached by Sam Zisette. The Loggers' leading scorers are Graham Hall and Marko Babiak who've both scored five times this season, Babiak has only played in seven games. Puget Sound tied Whitworth 1-1 earlier this year but haven't managed to beat the Pirates since September of 2021.
The Coach: Kevin Moon is the Pirates' interim head coach in 2023 and perhaps no one more connected and perhaps no one more connected to the history of Whitworth men's soccer could have taken on that role. Moon was a Pirate player from 1988 through 1991, winning three NCIC titles under Whitworth Heritage Gallery Hall of Fame coach Einar Thorarinnson. Moon served three stints as an assistant coach at Whitworth under several head coaches. He was an assistant coach for the women's team from 1992 through 1996, when the Pirates won a pair of NCIC titles under Damon Hagerott. He was an assistant coach for the men under Sean Bushey in 2001 when the Pirates won a conference crown. Moon returned as an assistant coach with the women's program from 2010 through 2015 under both Hagerotts – Damon and Jael. He was back with the Pirate men under Morgan Cathey in 2018 and 2019.
He also has significant coaching experience in the Inland Northwest. Kevin has a USSF National A License and was an ODP Washington Staff Coach from 2008-10. He was also a 2014 ODP Idaho Staff Coach.
Coming Up: Whitworth will hit the road to play Whitman on Wednesday, October 18 and Pacific the following Sunday.
