McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Two early goals were all visiting Whitworth needed to earn a 2-0 Northwest Conference men's soccer victory at Linfield on Sunday afternoon.

The Pirates improved to 4-3-1 overall and 2-1-1 in the NWC while the Wildcats dropped to 1-8, 0-5.

Beckett Arthur got the Pirates on the board in the fifth minute with his second goal of the season.  Clayton Crockett scored his first of the year, from an assist by Cole Friesen, five minutes later.

That was all the scoring the Pirates got or needed.  Linfield unleased a flurry of 15 shots in the second half, but only two were actually on target.  Even though the Wildcats outshot Whitworth 21-16 in the contest, the Bucs had the advantage in attempts that were actually on-frame (9-5).

Goalkeeper Aiden Chase made five saves for Whitworth.  Jacob Toves stopped seven shots for Linfield.

Whitworth will return home to host Lewis & Clark and Willamette in a pair of conference contests next weekend.