SPOKANE, Wash. – Visiting Pacific University netted a goal in the 82nd minute to defeat Whitworth in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match on Sunday at Whitworth Soccer Field.
The Pirates fell to 4-9-3 overall and 2-7-3 in conference play. The Boxers moved to 3-5-7, 3-3-7 NWC and swept the season series over the Bucs.
Pacific opened the scoring in the 20th minute after Afsheen Alijani's individual effort created enough space in the box to get a quality shot off and find the back of the net.
The Bucs answered nine minutes later. Aaron O'Byrne floated the ball over a defender and into the box for Jaxsen Teeter. Teeter held off a defender, turned and punched the ball in for his fourth goal of the season. It was Whitworth's only shot on goal in the first half.
Neither team could generate quality looks early in the second half as both defenses protected their net well. The Boxers were the team to break through late in the match. Caden Matsumoto sent a cross to Andrew Shen on the left side of the box, who collected a bounce and scored the game-winning goal. It was Shen's first goal of the season.
Ryland Crane recorded the only Pirate shot in the final eight minutes and it sailed high.
Teeter and Crane led the Pirate attack with three shots apiece. Lucas Waarvick added two. Oliver Hart made four saves at goalkeeper.
Alijani led Pacific with four of Pacific's 12 shots, two on which were on target. Goalkeeper Kobi Miyamoto made two saves.
The Pirates will make their final road trip of the season next weekend at Willamette and George Fox.
