TACOMA, Wash.- Matt Friesen converted a penalty kick in the 50th minute to give Whitworth University a 1-0 win over California Lutheran University in the Pirates final non-conference men's soccer match before opening Northwest Conference play next weekend. The game was played at Pacific Lutheran University.

Friesen's PK was the match-winner

Friesen (Sr., F, Newberg, Ore.) was able to attempt the penalty kick after Whitworth's Ryan Powers (Sr., MF, Newberg, Ore.) was taken down in the penalty box. Friesen converted the kick to the lower left corner, scoring the first goal allowed by the Kingsmen (2-1) this season. It was Friesen's second goal of the season.

Whitworth keeper Scott Barnum (So., Fall City, Wash.) made three saves to give the Pirates their second shutout of the season.

The contest between teams expected to challenge for their respective conference titles was remarkably even. Total shots were 8-8 and shots on goal were 3-3. Whitworth had a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.

The Pirates will open Northwest Conference play at home next weekend against Pacific (Saturday) and Linfield (Sunday). The Pacific Boxers are 2-1 so far this season after a win at Northwest University on Saturday night. The Linfield Wildcats are undefeated (3-0), including an important season-opening victory over nationally-ranked UC Santa Cruz. Both matches are scheduled to follow women's contests at 2:30 p.m.