SPOKANE, Wash. – Cole Friesen's first half goal was not enough as Pacific Lutheran's second half surge gave them a 2-1 victory over Whitworth in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match on Saturday afternoon.
The Pirates (10-7-2 overall, 8-5-2 NWC) lose their first match since October 20th while the Lutes improved to 13-1-5 and 11-0-4 in conference play.
Whitworth took the lead in the 37th minute when Dominic Gusman sent a hard cross from the right side into the box where Cole Friesen one-touched the ball into the top left corner of the net for his 14th goal of the season. Friesen's goal was one of only two Pirate shots in the first half.
Pacific Lutheran applied additional pressure in the second half that wore down the Pirates defense. In the 71st minute, Trevor Thompson crossed the ball in front of the net for Connor O'Brien who poked the ball into the top of the net for the equalizer. The Lutes would score the go-ahead goal in the 86th minute when Trevor Thompson dribbled past a Pirate defender and drove the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
Whitworth was outshot 24-7 in total shots and 7-5 in shots on-goal. Aiden Chase made four saves for the Pirates and Nicholas Gaston made four saves for the Lutes.
Despite the loss, head coach Kevin Moon was pleased with his team's effort and reflected on the impact of his seniors with one match remaining.
"We played very well in the first half," he said. "While I am disappointed in the result, it pales in comparison to the realization that we only have one more game with our seniors who have been outstanding leaders for four years."
Whitworth will finish the season and celebrate its seniors against Puget Sound on Sunday.
