SPOKANE, Wash. -- The Whitworth College women's soccer heads into the second round of Northwest Conference play this week when the Pirates host George Fox University on Saturday and Willamette University on Sunday. Both matches begin at Noon.

The Pirates are 4-4-3 overall and 3-3-2 in the NWC through the first round of conference play. Whitworth has had to deal with the season-ending injuries to a pair of starters. Two-time First Team All-NWC forward Jael Hagerott (Jr., Spokane, Wash.) was injured in the first contest of the season. Starting defender Sarah Brogden-Thome (Jr., Spokane, Wash.) was injured, ironically, on the team's trip to Willamette and George Fox that opened the NWC schedule. In addition, starting goal keeper Jenn Miller (Sr., Philomath, Ore.) has dealt with injuries on and off.

Ashley Fisk Leads the Bucs with four goals

Whitworth has struggled to finish scoring opportunities. The Pirates hold a significant advantage in shots per game off opponents (18 shots per game to 11), but the Pirates have only been able to average 1.27 goals per contest. Ashley Fisk (Sr., MF, Bellevue, Wash.) leads the team in goals with four this season. Marissa Williams (Sr., F, Shoreline, Wash.) leads the team and the conference in assists this season with six. Both Williams and Meghan Hudson (Jr., MF, Richland, Wash.) have scored three goals.

If the Pirates can get going offensively, they are only a few points behind Willamette and PLU for second place in the Northwest Conference standings.

George Fox is 3-8 this season and 1-7 in the conference. The Bruins dropped a 1-0 decision last Saturday to Linfield and lost 5-0 on Sunday to nationally-ranked Puget Sound. Both matches were at home. Amber Stevens leads the team in goals scored with three. Jessica Cardwell is one of the top keepers in the league, averaging 7.9 saves per match. Whitworth defeated George Fox 2-0 in Newberg, Oregon on September 18th.

Willamette comes into the weekend as one of the hottest teams in the NWC. The Bearcats (7-4-1 overall, 5-2-1 NWC) are 3-0-1 in their last four matches. Willamette fought to a 1-1 tie with Pacific Lutheran at home on Saturday afternoon before traveling to Pacific on Sunday and coming away with a 1-0 victory. Laura Uhlmansiek leads the team offensively, with three goals scored and six assists. Whitworth defeated Willamette 2-0 in Salem, Oregon on September 17th.

Northwest Conference Women's Soccer

Whitworth 2005 Roster

Whitworth 2005 Schedule

Whitworth 2005 Statistics