SPOKANE, Wash. – Lucas Diaz's game-winning goal in the 37th minute lifted Whitworth University to a 1-0 win over visiting Linfield in a rainy Northwest Conference men's soccer match on Saturday afternoon at Whitworth soccer field.
The Pirates (6-4-3 overall, 6-3-3 NWC) swept the season series and earned their 10th straight victory over the Wildcats, who fell to 1-10-3 overall and 1-7-3 in conference play.
Whitworth sent 15 shots toward the net in a dominant first half. Although just two of those attempts were on target, the constant pressure resulted in a 1-0 Pirate lead. Christoff Zimmerman sent a long cross downfield to Diaz, who collected pass and snuck the ball past the closing goalkeeper and into the net for his third goal of the season. The Whitworth defense held the Wildcats to just one total shot in the first 45 minutes.
The second half was played much more evenly with a 5-4 edge in shots for the Pirates. Linfield made Aiden Chase work for one save and the Bucs earned five corner kicks, but the score held.
Whitworth's 20 total shots and 11 corner kicks were both season highs. The Bucs finished with a 5-1 advantage in shots on goal.
Ryland Crane led the Pirate attack with four total shots while Diaz, Dominic Gusman, and Noah Whitman added three. Whitman's two shots on goal led the team. Chase earned his third clean sheet of the season in net.
Evan Stafford led Linfield with three total shots and the lone shot on goal. Goalkeeper Colby Reese made two saves.
The Pirate men will play their final two home games next weekend against Lewis & Clark and George Fox.
