SPOKANE, Wash. – The Whitworth men's soccer team goes back on the road this week for matches against a pair of Northwest Conference opponents. Instead of the normal Saturday-Sunday slate, the Pirates play at Whitman College on Wednesday evening (5:30 pm) and at Linfield University on Sunday at noon.
Check the Whitworth men's soccer schedule for live links to follow the action.
The Pirates: Whitworth (3-2-1) went 1-0-1 during the conference opening at home against George Fox and Pacific.
The Pirates handed George Fox its first loss of the season in the NWC opener for both schools on Saturday afternoon. Dominic Gusman set up the match's only goal by stealing the ball deep in Bruin territory and firing a crossing pass from the left side that was redirected by a GFU defender to Beckett Arthur, who one-timed a shot into the upper-right corner of the net in the 21st minute. It was Arthur's first goal of the season in his first match of the year. Aidan Chase made five saves, four in the second half, to make the goal stand up for a 1-0 shutout.
On Sunday Whitworth settled for a 0-0 draw against Pacific. The Pirates dominated the second half, outshooting the Boxers 8-1, including a 3-0 edge in shots on-goal. But Whitworth could not break through for the winning tally. Chase made two more saves, all in the first half, to post a second straight shutout.
Sund Honored by NWC: Whitworth freshman defender Kincaid Sund was named the NWC's defensive student-athlete of the week for his efforts in the matches against George Fox and Pacific. He anchored a back line that limited George Fox and Pacific to seven total shots on-goal in the win over the previously unbeaten Bruins and a 0-0 tie against the Boxers.
The Opponents: Whitman is 4-1-1 overall and 1-0-1 in the NWC heading into Wednesday's contest. The Blues look like conference contenders again under 10th-year head coach Jose Cedeno. Whitman has already scored 16 goals in six matches and has allowed 12. Seniors Jacob Burrill (7 goals, 3 assists) and Sawyer Valero (3 goals, 4 assists) lead the way. In 2023 Whitworth defeated Whitman 3-2 in Spokane and the two teams played to a 0-0 tie in Walla Walla.
Linfield University is 1-7 overall and 0-4 in the NWC following three conference matches last week. The Wildcats fell 1-0 at Pacific on Wednesday, 3-2 at Puget Sound on Saturday and 5-0 at Pacific Lutheran on Sunday. Head coach Andrew Duvall is in his fifth season as head coach. Linfield is looking to tighten up the defense this week after giving up 25 goals in the first eight contests. The Wildcats have scored nine times. Senior Sid Kosaris has a goal and four assists, while sophomore E.J. Sablan has two goals and two assists. Last season Whitworth defeated Linfield 3-1 in McMinnville, Oregon and 4-1 at home.
The Coach: Kevin Moon became the Pirates' head coach in 2023 and went 12-4-4 in his first year. Perhaps no one more connected to the history of Whitworth men's soccer was ready for this role. Moon was a Pirate player from 1988 through 1991, winning three NCIC titles under Whitworth Heritage Gallery Hall of Fame coach Einar Thorarinnson. Moon served four stints as an assistant coach at Whitworth under several head coaches. He was an assistant coach for the women's team from 1992 through 1996, when the Pirates won a pair of NCIC titles under Damon Hagerott. He was an assistant coach for the men under Sean Bushey in 2001 when the Pirates won a conference crown. Moon returned as an assistant coach with the women's program from 2010 through 2015 under both Hagerotts – Damon and Jael. He was back with the Pirate men under Morgan Cathey in 2018 and 2019.
He also has significant coaching experience in the Inland Northwest. Kevin has a USSF National A License and was an ODP Washington Staff Coach from 2008-10. He was also a 2014 ODP Idaho Staff Coach..
Coming up: Whitworth will host Lewis & Clark and Willamette on October 5th and 6th.
