Whitworth Pulls Away from Bearcats in Second Half, 6-1

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SPOKANE, WASH. -- Whitworth broke a 0-0 tie with two scores in the final 15 minutes of the first half and added a goal 3:05 into the second half, sending the Pirates on their way to a 6-1 victory over visiting Willamette University on Sunday, Oct. 30. The Pirates, ranked #5 in the West Region of NCAA Division III by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), improved to 13-3-1 overall, 11-2 in the Northwest Conference.

Whitworth remained in second place in the NWC, one game behind Pacific Lutheran University (12-1). Willamette, now 5-9-2 overall and 4-8-1 in the NWC, stayed in a tie for fifth place with Pacific University.

Dion Coxe opened the scoring at 31:44 on an assist from Cameron Bushey. After Bushey crossed the ball, Coxe scored off a rebound. About 11 minutes later with 2:36 left in the first half, Taylor Willi scored from the right side of the penalty area. Nic Shaw registered an assist, as Whitworth took a 2-0 lad.

Willi put the ball in the net again early in the second half at 48:05. He was assisted on the goal by Andrew French and Matt Bray.

Willamette scored less than two minutes later at 49:55. Adan Vazquez (So., F, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) registered the goal on a shot from the middle of the field just outside the 18-yard box. He shot after intercepting a clearing pass by the Pirates. It was the second goal for Vazquez in as many games. He tallied a goal in WU's 2-1 overtime loss at Whitman College on Saturday.

Vazquez is the Bearcats' second leading scorer this year. He trails only Erik Kaufman (Jr., F, Portland, OR/Grant HS), who tops the offensive chart with 7 goals and 2 assists for 16 points. Vazquez has scored 5 goals and 4 assists for 14 points. He has achieved 3 goals and 1 assist in Willamette's last six games.

Trailing 3-1, Willamette had a chance to get back in the game, and almost cut the lead to a single goal 10 minutes later. Vazquez beat Whitworth goalkeeper Brian Sherpe near the top of the penalty area and sent the ball toward an open goal. Shaw raced in to clear the ball away before it crossed the goal line and also blocked a follow shot by Vazquez.

Soon afterward, the Pirates scored two goals in a three-minute span to pull away. Anders Nostdahl scored at 62:55 and Sam Selisch scored at 65:56. Matt Miller of Whitworth added the final goal at 78:09.

The Pirates held a sizable margin in the game's offensive statistics. Whitworth outshot the Bearcats 25-8 overall and 10-3 in shots on goal. The Pirates also earned an 8-2 margin in corner kicks.

Willamette will conclude the season on Saturday, Nov. 5 against nearby archrival Linfield College. Game time in McMinnville, Ore., is slated for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).