WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Skye Henderson's goal in the 49th minute lifted visiting Whitworth University to a 1-0 win at Whitman College in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match on Saturday night, clinching the NWC championship for the Pirates.

Henderson scored the championship-winner

Whitworth finishes the regular season 14-3-1 overall and 12-2 in the NWC, edging Pacific Lutheran (11-2-1) in the final standings. The Missionaries conclude their season with a record of 10-9-1, 6-7-1.

Henderson (Sr., MF, Spokane, Wash.) scored after Matt Friesen's (Sr., F, Newberg, Ore.) shot was deflected by Whitman's defense. Henderson gathered the loose ball and scored into the top right corner from 10 yards. It was Henderson's fifth goal of the season and his fourth match-winning tally.

The Missionaries peppered the Pirate goal with four shots in the final minutes of the match, but Pirate keeper Scott Barnum (So., GK, Fall City, Wash.) came up with two big saves to preserve his 10th shutout of the season. Barnum had five saves in the game as Whitman outshot Whitworth 12-10 overall and 5-3 in shots on goal.

The Pirates have claimed their third conference title in the last four seasons and fourth championship since 2001, all under head coach Sean Bushey. Whitworth will now await word on where they will play in the NCAA tournament. Brackets will be announced early on Monday morning.