CHICAGO – Whitworth opened a spring break trip to Chicago with a dominating 22-6 win over Illinois Tech on Saturday afternoon. 

The Pirates (2-3) outshot the Scarlet Hawks (1-7) 47-8, including a 32-6 edge in shots on-goal.  The Bucs won 20 of the 29 draw controls, had a 27-11 edge in ground balls and forced 20 turnovers while giving up only eight, showing dominance on all areas of the field.

Whitworth took a 6-1 lead after one period, getting back-to-back goals from Sierra Witte and single goals from Megan Whitman, Nikki Beers, Campbell Vincent and Keira Paulus.  The Pirates extended the lead to 11-4 at halftime.  Witte, Whitman and Vincent all scored again, and Whitworth got first goals from Kenison Turner and Peyton Green.

The Pirates put the match away by outscoring Illinois Tech 7-1 in the third quarter to lead 18-5.  Paulus started the action by scoring the first two goals for the Bucs.  Vincent added two more goals, while Turner, Witte and Green each added one.

The defense continued to hold strong in the final period as Whitworth finished with a  4-1 edge in goals.  Green scored her third, while Kenzie Hemman, Kylie Martin and Cassidy Fraser each got her first of the match.

Witte finished with four goals and one assist for five points, while Green had three goals and two assists, also for five points.  Vincent added four goals to her team-leading total.  Hemman had a goal and one assist, while leading the Pirates with eight ground balls, seven draw controls and two caused turnovers. 

Sage Fosnock and Kayla Jones each played 30 minutes apiece in goal.  Fosnock allowed two goals, while Jones gave up four and made two saves.

Whitworth will face a tougher challenge when the Pirates take on North Central College on Sunday afternoon.