PORTLAND, Ore. – Whitworth men's soccer closed its weekend trip to Oregon with a 2-0 loss to Lewis & Clark College in a physical Northwest Conference battle on Sunday afternoon at Griswold Stadium.
The River Otters (2-12-1 overall, 2-9-1 NWC) swept the season series over the Pirates, who fell to 2-8-2, 2-6-2 NWC. Lewis & Clark's win represented the program's first home victory since returning to varsity status in 2022.
In a repeat of the teams' first matchup in Spokane, Eli Kraft and Sam London scored each of L&C's goals. Kraft headed in his second goal of the season in the ninth minute off a long free kick from Talen Haywood. Whitworth's Ethan Bell had a quality shot on net in the 17th minute, but the tying attempt was saved. Oliver Hart made a pair of key saves on the other end to keep the deficit at one heading into halftime.
London's goal came two and a half minutes into the second half after he intercepted a pass and fired a shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner. Tensions rose as the Pirates fought for an equalizer, resulting in six yellow cards handed out in the second half, four on the Bucs. The River Otter's defended their net well, holding Whitworth to five total shots and just one in the second half.
Ryland Crane, Jack Eschliman and Bell recorded the three Pirate shots on goal. Hart made three saves.
London led L&C with three shots on target. Micaiah Garan and Keahi Meredith combined for the shutout in net, with Meredith making three saves.
The Pirates return to Spokane to host Whitman on Wednesday afternoon.
