By: Cody Wright
HILLSBORO, Ore. – The Whitworth Pirates are well represented with five players on the 2024 All-Northwest Conference Soccer team, announced today by the conference office.
Cole Friesen, Clayton Crockett and Dominic Gusman were named to the first team, while Beckett Arthur and Keegan Davis earned second team honors.
The five Pirate players led Whitworth to a 10-7-3 overall record and 8-5-3 mark in conference play, finishing fourth in the NWC.
Selections are based on statistics from just the 16 conference matches.
Cole Friesen, a junior forward, was in the top five of every major offensive statistical category during conference play after a record-breaking season. He finished fifth in the conference in shots (61), tied for fourth in shots on-goal (31), third in goals (14) and first in game winning goals (6). He also tied for third in the conference with nine assists and ranked third in total points (37). This is Friesen's second consecutive All-NWC first team recognition. He was named NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week three times during the 2024 season.
Friesen now holds Whitworth men's soccer program records in career points (96), career goals (41), and single season goals (24).
Dominic Gusman, a graduate outside backer, started 17 games and was the Pirates' go-to player when taking set pieces as he effectively set up his teammates after free kicks and corner kicks. Gusman's nine assists finished tied with Cole Friesen for third in the NWC. From October 23rd to November 9th, he tallied an assist in five straight matches. Gusman was named an All-NWC honorable mention in 2023.
Clayton Crockett, a senior midfielder, made the All-NWC first team after earning second team recognition in 2023. Crockett started all 20 games for the Pirates and facilitated the Pirates' efforts to win and maintain possession near the center stripe. He was third on the team with four goals and 16 shots on-goal.
Davis, a junior, joined Crockett to create one of the best midfield tandems in the conference. Davis started 19 games for the Pirates and was third on the team in total minutes. He took advantage of his scoring opportunities and netted two of his three shots on goal. He earned All-NWC honorable mention in 2023.
Arthur, a senior forward, imposed size and physicality on the Pirate attack. He finished second on the team and tenth in the NWC with 38 shots in 2024. His 13 points were also second on the team and he scored two game winning goals. Arthur earned second team All-NWC after being named an honorable mention in 2023.
