SPOKANE, Wash.- Matt Friesen had a goal and an assist and the Whitworth University defense proved too tough for visiting Pacific University to solve as the Pirates defeated the Boxers 3-0 in the Northwest Conference men's soccer opener for both schools on Saturday afternoon at the Whitworth Soccer Field.

Friesen had a goal and assist for the Bucs

The Pirates (3-1-1 overall, 1-0 NWC) got a pair of goals just over a minute apart in the first half to take control of the match.

Brent Zahn (So., MF, Eagle River, Alaska) took a cross from Travis Jette (Jr., D, Missoula, Mont.), and passed back to Friesen (Sr., MF, Newberg, Ore.) at the top of the box. Friesen's shot beat Pacific keeper Chris Grasso to the lower left corner in the 29th minute.

Late in the 30th minute the Pirates worked for a corner kick, and Jette sent a perfect pass to Sky Henderson (Sr., MF, Spokane, Wash.), who out jumped his defended and headed the ball past Grasso.

Friesen's goal was his third of the year, while Henderson tallied for the second time this season.

Whitworth's final goal came in the 58th minute when Friesen slotted a pass into the middle of the Pacific box for Keith Kirsch (Jr., MF, Colbert, Wash.), who tallied his first goal of the season against Boxer back up keeper Andrew Stevermer.

The Pirates outshot Pacific 20-6, and limited the Boxers (2-2, 0-1) to only one shot on goal. Whitworth keeper Scott Barnam made a diving stop on Mark Dimizio's shot early in the 35th minute.

The Pirates will host 17th-ranked Linfield (4-1, 0-1) on Sunday. Linfield was 4-0 loser at Whitman (4-2, 1-0), where Pacific will play on Sunday.