By: Caden Frank
SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth women's soccer will seek to extend their win streak in the season finale this weekend as they travel to play George Fox and Lewis & Clark. Both games will be at 11:00 as first halves of men's-women's doubleheaders.
You can follow the action through Whitworth women's soccer schedule with the live stats or stream.
The Pirates: This weekend, Whitworth (8-6-4 overall, 8-5-1 NWC) will seek to achieve their longest winning streak since 2018. The Pirates have been surging lately, boasting a 6-1-1 record through their last eight matches (the lone loss was a 3-2 defeat to the six-time defending NWC champs, Pacific Lutheran). Whitworth has won its last three matches 1-0, surrendering only one goal in the last four. In each of those wins, the Pirates were able to score in the first half.
On Saturday against Linfield, senior Emmy Moore buried a deflected corner kick in the 29th minute for the lone goal of the game (her fourth of the season), and the Pirates closed it out. Sunday was much of the same as Baylee Trejo scored a 19th minute goal off a deflected Addison Dizard shot to give Whitworth the win over Willamette. Their team defense has been outstanding, and they've controlled the majority of the possession in each of the last three wins.
Defense and Dizard: The Pirate defense has been a major key to their winning streak, as they've now recorded three consecutive shutouts, and allowed one goal in the past five matches. The last time Whitworth recorded three consecutive shutouts was 2018, but four straight shutouts hasn't happened in more than a decade.
Dizard tallied another assist last weekend, her fifth of the season. In addition to leading the team, she's posted a career-high, and ranks 2nd in the NWC in assists.
The Opponents: George Fox (6-8-4 overall, 4-7-3 NWC) comes off a 1-0 win against Lewis & Clark and a 2-0 loss at Puget Sound last weekend. The Bruins have struggled to put together win streaks this season but have played teams close (three of their losses have been by a single goal, including a 1-0 loss at Whitworth in September). The Bruins have scored 19 goals and allowed 29 (both 7th in the NWC), and they currently sit 5th in the conference standings. Becca Kozak has been the main contributor for the Bruins, leading the team with five goals (9th in the NWC, 4th of any non-PLU player). George Fox is coached by Laura Schott who's in her fourth season in Newberg. The Pirates have not lost to George Fox since 2018, they're 5-0-2 in the last seven meetings.
Lewis & Clark (5-10-3 overall, 4-7-3 NWC) is in the midst of a three-game losing streak in which they've failed to score a goal, and they've won only once in their last eight matches. Goals have been difficult to come by for the Pioneers in 2023, they rank second-to-last in the conference with 15 (only 10 in conference play). Yet, they've been in a plethora of close games as 12 have been decided by a goal or less. If the Pirates are going to pull off their first season sweep over the Pioneers since 2017, they will need to contain Celeste Schreifels who leads the Pioneers in goals (4), assists (4), and points (12). They are coached by Jim Tursi who's in his 14th season.
The coach: Whitworth soccer alum Cameron Bushey is in his second season as head coach of the women's soccer team. The Pirates finished 6-8-5 overall and 6-6-4 (fourth place) in the NWC last season. He graduated from Whitworth in 2012 as a four-time All-NWC honoree who helped lead the Pirates to three NWC titles and NCAA Division III tournament appearances in 2008 and 2009.
Coming up: Whitworth will hit the field again in September of 2024 for its season opener.
