SPOKANE, Wash. – Cole Friesen broke Whitworth's single season goal record with his third hat trick of the year, Beckett Arthur scored two of his own, and Whitworth buried Willamette 6-2 on Sunday.
For Friesen, today was a culmination of a season's worth of brilliance. The sophomore found the back of the net in the 20th, 57th, and 85th minute on his way to the record of 22 goals. Friesen also assisted on both goals by Arthur Beckett, racked up 11 shots and finished with eight total points (the third-most in Whitworth history in a single game).
Karl Muelheims, the Pirates' assistant coach, formerly held the program record with 21 goals.
For the second day in a row, the Pirate offense produced fireworks in the early going. The Pirates scored three times in the first 20 minutes after scoring three times in the first 27 minutes yesterday versus Linfield.
Friesen and Arthur set up the Pirates' first two goals. In the 13th minute Arthur took Friesen's lob pass and buried it into the lower left, and just five minutes later Arthur reigned in another pass from Friesen and chipped it over the goalie to put Whitworth up 2-0.
Eric Shaporda scored his 10th goal of the season in the 48th minute and Whitworth led 4-1, Caden Martin was credited with the assist (he tallied two in the match).
The Bearcats scored their first goal in the 20th when a handball was called inside the box during a corner kick challenge. Lucas Carballo cashed in on the penalty kick, and Willamette trailed 3-1 at the break. Jett Star scored his 11th goal of the season in the 85th minute to pull the Bearcats to 5-2, moments before Friesen broke the record.
Whitworth was on the attack all afternoon, racking up 23 shots (13 on goal) and it led to their second-highest scoring output of the year.
Whitworth will hit the road for its season finale, taking on George Fox and Lewis & Clark next weekend. Willamette will be at home against PLU before hitting the road to play Pacific.
