NEWBERG, Ore. – Johny Cortez's second half goal lifted the visiting Whitworth Pirates to a 1-0 win over George Fox in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match on Saturday afternoon at Austin Sports Complex.
The Pirates (3-2-1 overall, 3-1-1 NWC) earned their second straight conference victory, while the Bruins fell to 3-4-3 overall and 1-3-2 in conference play.
Both teams finished a scoreless first half with two shots on goal. George Fox was able to generate five corner kicks, but the Whitworth defense held tough and kept the Bruins off the scoreboard.
The Bucs broke through with the game-winner in 63rd minute when Cortez netted his first goal of the season. Cortez collected a pass in the middle of the box, made a shifty move to his right and hooked the ball into the right side of the net. The Pirates kept the pressure on and allowed just three Bruin second half shots. GFU had a look at an equalizer late in the match, but the shot sailed high from the top of the box.
Whitworth finished the match with an 11-7 advantage in shots and a 4-3 lead in shots on goal. The Bruins had seven corner kicks to the Pirates' five.
Dominic Gusman led all players with four shots. Lucas Joehnk had a pair of shots and Cortez led the Bucs with two shots on goal. Dax Flanders made two saves in his second consecutive clean sheet.
Eugene Peltier led George Fox with two shots on goal. Chase Nelson made three saves.
The Whitworth men will look to keep the momentum going against Lewis & Clark on Sunday.
