CLAREMONT, Calif. -- Kara Tisthammer scored on a crossing pass from Greta Thibodeau with three minutes left in the game to lift Whitworth to a 3-2 win at Pomona-Pitzer in the 2006 women's soccer season opener for both teams. The win is the Pirates' first season-opening victory since 2003.

Greta Thibodeau had a goal and an assist

Tisthammer's goal capped a back and forth second period that followed a scoreless first half. Whitworth outshot the Sagehens 5-1 in the first half, but could not get a goal to go in.

Paige Maas got Pomona on the board first, dribbling past the defense and beating Pirate keeper Leah Motz for a 1-0 Sagehen lead in the 54th minute. But Thibodeau tied the match four minutes later, scoring on corner kick by Penelope Crowe.

Lindsey Oakes, playing as a true freshman for the Bucs, gave Whitworth its first lead of the match in the 68th minute with her first career goal.

Looking like they might force overtime, Pomona-Pitzer tied the match with five minutes remaining when Kim Ye scored from outside the box. But only two minutes later, Tisthammer and Thibodeau connected for the match-winning shot.

Motz made two saves to earn the win in goal. Caroline Flynn, who played only the second half for Pomona, made one save and allowed three goals for the loss.

Whitworth is hoping to rebound from last season's 8-8-3 finish, and a win over the Sagehens is a great first step. Pomona-Pitzer won the SCIAC last season, advanced to its first-ever NCAA tournament and finished 11-5-3.