SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The Whitworth offense that got off to a blistering start last weekend could not get untracked in a 3-0 loss to California Lutheran University on Friday in a match played at UC Santa Cruz.
The Pirates fell to 2-1 and will take on UCSC on Sunday.
Whitworth, after totaling 10 goals in two wins last weekend, outshot CLU 9-6 in the opening half. However, only two of those attempts were on-goal and both were saved. Four of the Kingsmen shots were on goal, including their first attempt that led to an opening goal by JP Melgoza less than a minute into the match.
The Pirates were outshot 9-4 in the second half and CLU had a 5-0 advantage in shots on-frame. Maximo Schelotto made it 2-0 in the 72nd minute. With the Pirates pressing forward on offense, the Kingsmen took advantage when Max Scott ran under a long pass from CLU goalkeeper Gen Katashiba for the third goal in the 79th minute.
Anton Dershem played all 90 minutes in goal for Whitworth and made four saves. Katashiba only had to make the two first half saves for CLU.
