Pirates Close in on NWC Title

Whitworth (12-2-3, 10-1-2 NWC) Won at Linfield 4-1 Complete Box score

Cameron Bushey

McMINNVILLE, Ore. - (From Linfield Sports Information Office) Whitworth University closed in on its third straight Northwest Conference men's soccer title as the Pirates blew past Linfield by a score of 4-1 Sunday afternoon at the Linfield Soccer Field.

Whitworth improves to 12-2-3 overall and 10-1-2 (32 points) in the Northwest Conference, two points clear of second place PLU (10-3, 30 points). With its fifth-straight loss, Linfield slumps to 5-12-1 on the season and 4-9 in conference play.

The Pirates sent home their first goal on a penalty kick from Cameron Bushy. Bushy was fouled in the box by Carter Elhabbassi, resulting in a score past goalkeeper Cody Tipton.

Keith Kirsch put Whitworth up 2-0 on goal in the 23rd minute. The assist came by way of Justin Meyer.

Staked to a 2-0 lead, Whitworth drove home the dagger just before halftime in the 44th minute. Kirsch stripped the ball from a Linfield defender at midfield and drove down the field before finding a streaking Travis Gutierrez down left side. With just the goalie to beat, Gutierrez’s shot crossed the box and deflected off the post, before finding the back of the net.

Linfield tacked on a late goal in the 77th minute on a header from Cody Escott. Travis Isaacs laced a free kick into the box, laying it perfectly in the path of Escott for the score.

With just under nine minutes to play a goal from Justin Mikkola gave the Pirates their final margin of victory.

Whitworth outshot Linfield 12-5 for the game.

The Pirates can clinch the championship by defeating visiting Whitman College at home next Saturday. Kick off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. If Whitworth can pull of the win, the Bucs would become the first NWC team in 20 years to win three consecutive men's soccer conference titles.