WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Whitman held off visiting Whitworth 2-1 in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match on Wednesday evening at the Whitman Athletic Fields.
The Pirates dropped to 3-3-1 overall and 1-1-1 in the NWC while the Blues improved to 5-1-1, 2-0-1. Whitworth will try to bounce back when the Pirates play at Linfield University at noon on Sunday.
Jacob Burrill gave Whitman a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute with his eighth goal of the season. The Blues' lead doubled 23 minutes later when Sawyer Valero scored off an assist by Takahiro Hikida. Whitman outshot the Pirates 8-1 in the first half.
Whitworth played better after halftime. Caden Martin cut the margin in half with his first goal of the year in the 58th minute. Cole Friesen had the assist. But the Pirates could not get the equalizer, despite outshooting Whitman 3-0 in the final eight minutes of the match. Each of the three attempts clear the top of the cross bar. Second half shot attempts ended 6-6.
Aidan Chase played all 90 minutes in goal for Whitworth and made two saves while allowing two goals. Lucas Haigh played keeper for Whitman and stopped one shot while allowing one across the line.
