SPOKANE, Wash.-- Whitworth made its final statement for consideration as an at-large entrant to the NCAA Division III women's soccer tournament on Saturday, defeating visiting Pacific 2-0 to close the regular season 15-4-1 overall and 11-4-1 in the Northwest Conference. The 12th-ranked Pirates are hoping for a second straight at-large bid to the NCAA Division III tournament after a second straight second place finish in the NWC women's soccer standings. The Pirates have won nine of their last ten contests to stay in contention for a berth. After holding George Fox without a shot on goal on Friday, Whitworth limited the Boxers (5-14-1, 4-11-1) to a single shot on Saturday to post a four straight shutout victory. Callie Bergstrom (Fr., GK, Spokane, Wash.) saved the only shot by Pacific in the second half. Whitney Ramsey (Sr., F, Spokane, Wash.) gave Whitworth a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute when she took a cross from Kelly Baker (Sr., D, Boise, Idaho) and beat Pacific keeper Erin Ichimura for her sixth goal of the year. But the Boxers prevented Whitworth from pulling away over the next 75 minutes and the Pirates did not score a clinching goal until the 80th minute. Lindsey Oakes (Jr., MF, Boise, Idaho) tied Ramsey for the team lead in goals this season with her sixth of the year. Elizabeth Mattila (So., F, Ferndale, Wash.) had the assist. Whitworth will find out its tournament fate on Monday morning, approximately 9:00 a.m. Pacific time. |
