Over the last five years, Whitworth University men’s soccer fans knew what to expect. Wins, and a lot of them. The Pirates averaged almost 14 wins per season over those five years behind some very familiar names that earned high honors in the Northwest Conference and NCAA Division III.

Now it is time for a new generation to step forward and make its own mark on Whitworth soccer history. The Pirates will have at least six new starters this season, but head coach Sean Bushey believes this group is as ready as any he’s had to challenge for a conference title.

“Because last season’s senior class showed such good leadership, they have taught these upper-classmen what they need to do to lead and be successful,” said Bushey, who is 127-65-21 in 11 years leading the Pirates. “This is a group of excellent student-athletes and I am confident we can remain competitive within our conference, as well as regionally and nationally.”

The first spot Bushey will have to fill with a new player is goalkeeper after the graduation of Kevin Bostock, a four-year starter. Scott Barnum (So., Fall City, Wash.) and Lance Beck (Sr., Spokane, Wash.) have the most experience backing up Bostock over the past two seasons.

Playing in front of the new keeper will be a talented and experienced defensive backfield, led by Ben Dixon (Sr., Missoula, Mont.), who earned Second Team All-NWC honors last fall. Bryan Olson (So., Missoula, Mont.) started all 18 games as a true freshman and will keep that streak alive in 2007. Whitworth is glad to welcome back Brett Kagawa (Sr., Mililani, Hawaii) for his fifth year after he suffered a season-ending knee injury prior to the start of last season. The final starting spot will be up for grabs. James Lagucik (So., Edmonds, Wash.) played in 11 games as a freshman and has the most experience coming into the season.

Skye Henderson (Sr., Spokane, Wash.) has started 51 matches as a Pirate and he will direct the Whitworth attack in the midfield this fall. Henderson earned Second Team All-NWC honors last year after totaling three goals and two assists.

Matt Friesen (Sr., Newberg, Ore.) should join Henderson in the midfield as a starter after playing in all 18 matches last fall (starting 13) with two goals and three assists. Ryan Powers (Sr., Newberg, Ore.) also played in all 18 matches and could become a full-time starter. Brent Murakami (Sr., Mililani, Hawaii) started six of the ten matches he played last fall.

Up front, Curtis Flournoy (Sr., Gilbert, Ariz.) and Kenshiro Uki (Sr., Aiea, Hawaii) have the most experience in the program. Caleb Barnhill (Jr., Sultan, Wash.) and Elly Bulega (So., Tacoma, Wash.) also have playing experience for the Bucs.

A pair of newcomers could push for significant playing time at forward or midfield. John Prugh (Jr., Bozeman, Mont.) was a Second Team NJCAA All-American and leading scorer at North Idaho College in 2006. Keith Kirsch (Jr., Colbert, Wash.) had a very successful two years with the Community College of Spokane, earning NWAACC Eastern Region MVP honors last fall.

However the pieces come together, Bushey believes the ingredients are in the mix for the Pirates to be successful in 2007.

“Our strength will be in numbers,” he said. “I believe we are very deep at almost every position. The competition for starting spots will be great and that should serve us well.”

The season gets underway in Texas when the Pirates take on Trinity University on August 31st in the first contest between the two since Whitworth knocked off the Tigers to reach the 2005 NCAA Division III final four.

The Northwest Conference will be as challenging as ever with potentially three or four teams, including Whitworth, in the hunt for the conference title. The Pirates are third in the 2007 NWC preseason coaches poll.