SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth men's soccer fell 5-0 to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Friday's non-conference home opener at Whitworth Soccer Field.
The Crusaders (3-0) were dominant offensively, tallying 23 total shots and 12 on goal. UMHB will play NWC squad Whitman on Saturday at 3:00 pm.
The Pirates (1-2) held the Cru offense to just six shots in the first frame, but luck didn't go their way as three found the back of the net. Efficient passing led to the first score of the match off the foot of Eric Ortiz just before the 12th minute. Eight minutes later, Billy Yonce netted his third goal of the season to put UMHB up by a pair. Before the half, a hard shot in the box deflected off a Pirate defender and into the net to extend the lead.
UMHB kept the pressure on in the second half, outshooting the Bucs 17-2 and adding to the lead with two more goals.
The Pirates finished the match with six shots by six different players, but were held without a shot on target.
Dax Flanders played the first half at goalkeeper for the Bucs and allowed three goals with one save. Henrik Dahlgren made a career-high seven saves and allowed two goals in the second frame.
Blake Dildy led UMHB with four shots in the match and two on goal. Hughston Taggert earned the win in 69 minutes in net for the Crusaders. Emerson Vasquez played the final 20 plus minutes.
Whitworth will look to bounce back on Sunday against UC Santa Cruz at 11:00 am.
