SPOKANE, Wash. – A pair of first half goals lifted Whitworth to a 2-0 shutout victory over visiting Lewis & Clark College in Saturday's Northwest Conference men's soccer match at Whitworth Soccer Field.
The Pirates advanced to 7-4-3 overall, 7-3-3 in the NWC and swept the season series with the Pioneers (0-14-3, 0-11-2 NWC).
Whitworth pushed the ball into its offensive third early on and it paid off in the 10th minute. Dominic Gusman sent a long cross to Jordan Voigt, who flicked the ball to the middle of the box where Johny Cortez headed in his third goal of the season. Soon after, Gusman drove hard toward the net and drew a foul in the box, resulting in a penalty kick. He fired the ball into the bottom left corner to give Whitworth a 2-0 lead in the 24th minute.
The score held for the remainder of the match. The Pioneers earned a free kick just outside the box late in the second half, but L&C's best look of the match sailed high. After an 8-3 advantage in shots for Whitworth in the first half, each team sent four toward the net in a more evenly played second frame.
Total shots finished 12-7 in favor of the Pirates. The Bucs allowed just one Pioneer shot on goal, tied for a season low.
Gusman and Lucas Joehnk led the Pirate attack with three shots each. Aiden Chase made one save in his fourth clean sheet and team's seventh shutout of the season.
Ben Schwartz and Dylan Weinstein each had a pair of shots to lead L&C. Goalkeeper Micaiah Garan made two saves.
The Whitworth men will play their final home match of the season on Sunday at 1:45pm against George Fox. Eight seniors will be recognized for their contributions to the program prior to kickoff.
