SPOKANE, Wash.- One of the most remarking facts about Whitworth University's rise to the top of the standings in Northwest Conference men's soccer is that the Pirates (10-2-1 overall, 8-1 NWC) have done it by playing six of the last seven matches on the road. Whitworth finally gets to come home for an extended stretch, beginning this weekend with matches against George Fox University (Saturday) and Willamette University (Sunday).

The Pirates are coming off of a pair of 1-0 wins on the road last weekend. Whitworth won by the single goal at both Linfield - goal by John Prugh (Jr., F, Bozeman, Mont.) - and Pacific - goal by Matt Friesen (Sr., F, Newberg, Ore.).

Whitworth is five points and a game ahead of both Puget Sound (11-1-1, 6-1-1) and Pacific Lutheran (8-5-1, 6-1-1) in the NWC standings. The Loggers and Lutes will play each other on Wednesday at PLU with a chance for the winner to gain ground on Whitworth.

Scott Barnum

Share and Share Alike: Whitworth's attacking philosophy calls for trust between players and multiple options going forward to score. Therefore, the Pirates have 21 assists to 20 goals scored this season. The 21 assists is second in the NWC. Eleven different players have tallied at least one assist this season, led by Matt Friesen and Brent Zahn (So., MF, Eagle River, Alaska), who each have four.

In addition, the Pirates have been solid defensively. The strong back line of defense has helped Whitworth keeper Scott Barnum (So., Fall City, Wash.) post nine shutouts this season, which leads the NWC.

Matt Friesen has come on strong of late. He is second in the NWC in points per game (1.38), third in total points (18 points, seven goals, 4 assists) and third in goals scored. Friesen has four goals and three assists in his last seven matches.

Regionally Ranked: Whitworth is still ranked highly in both NCAA Division III regional polls. The Pirates are 4th in this week's NSCAA/adidas West Region poll, and are 2nd in the D3kicks.com west region rankings.

Coming Up: George Fox (3-9-2 overall, 1-6-2 NWC) comes into the weekend in seventh place in the Northwest Conference standings. The Bruins tied 1-1 at Willamette last Wednesday, then dropped a 5-3 shootout at home against PLU on Sunday. Earlier this season Whitworth earned a 2-0 win at GFU on September 23rd behind a pair of assists by Brent Zahn.

Willamette (2-10-2, 0-8-1) is trying to catch GFU in the NWC standings. Last weekend the Bearcats tied the Bruins 1-1 at home on Wednesday, then dropped a 5-1 loss at home to highly-ranked Puget Sound on Saturday. Earlier this season (on September 22nd), Whitworth went to Willamette and took away a 3-0 win behind Matt Friesen's goal and assist.

The Coach: Sean Bushey is 137-67-22 in his 12th season as head coach at Whitworth (he is 147-73-24 in his 13th season overall as a head coach.) Bushey is a two-time winner of the NWC Coach of the Year award (2001, 2004) and has led his team to conference titles in 2001, 2004 and 2005. In 2005 Whitworth advanced to the NCAA Division III final four. Since the start of the 1999 season, the Whitworth men are 113-39-16.