WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Whitworth earned its third shutout of the season but couldn't manage to capitalize on 17 shots, coming away with a scoreless draw at Whitman on Wednesday night.
Cole Friesen nearly gave the Pirates the win with an 89th minute shot to the low corner of the net, but Whitman keeper Bernie Jones managed to keep it out for his fifth save of the night. Friesen had scored in seven straight games coming into the match, but the streak was snapped, and he remains two goals shy of Whitworth's single season scoring record.
The Pirates (8-4-3 overall, 6-2-3 NWC) have tied in their last two matches but remain in second place in the NWC standings with 21 points. Whitman (5-6-4 overall, 5-3-3 NWC) has tied twice in its last three matches, and they remain in fourth place.
It was the first scoreless draw for either team this season, the first for Whitworth since its 0-0 draw at Pacific in October of last year.
The Pirates outshot the Blues 17-9, yet each team managed only five shots on goal. Nine of Whitworth's shots came from outside the box as the Blues did an excellent job on the defensive side.
Aiden Chase and Anton Dershem were credited for the shutout as each goalie played a half to combine for five saves. Chase made the start and recorded three saves, Dershem closed it out with two.
Both sides will seek to get back in the win column against Pacific this weekend. The Blues will travel to Forest Grove on Saturday and the Pirates will be there Sunday. Both teams will be seeking their first win since October 8.
