SPOKANE, Wash.-- Lindsey Oakes scored twice to lead Whitworth University to a 2-1 win over visiting Whitman College on Wednesday afternoon in a Northwest Conference women's soccer match. Oakes (Jr., MF, Boise, Idaho), who led the Pirates in scoring last season with 10 goals, tallied her first two of the season to help Whitworth (6-2-1 overall, 2-2-1 NWC) break a three-match winless streak. The Pirates dropped from 9th to 15th in the most recent NSCAA/adidas Division III Coaches Poll. The Missionaries dropped their second straight match to fall to 5-3, 3-2. Whitman had a 4-2 edge in corner kicks and used that advantage to score the first goal of the match. Corina Gabbert headed in Kristen Middlesteadt's corner in the 24th minute for her conference-leading ninth goal of the season. Less than one minute later Whitney Ramsey (Sr., F, Spokane, Wash.) was able to draw a foul in the penalty box and Oakes converted to tie the match. Later in the first half Elizabeth Mattila (So., MF, Ferndale, Wash.) was able to work behind the Whitman defense to set up a pair of good shot opportunities for her teammates, but Missionary keeper Courtney Porter made saves each time. In the second half the Whitman defense was unable to clear the ball and after the Pirates regained possession near the box, Ellen Seagraves (So., F, Missoula, Mont.) passed across to Oakes, who was wide open at eight yards. Oakes sent a ball under Porter for the match-winner in the 62nd minute. In the 84th minute Amy Hasson had two good opportunities to tie the match, including one shot from only two yards, but Whitworth keeper Callie Bergstrom (Fr., GK, Spokane, Wash.) got in the way of both attempts. The Pirates finished with an 18-12 edge in shots, including a 12-8 advantage in shots on goal. Porter made 10 saves for Whitman, while Bergstrom made seven stops - five in the second half - for Whitworth. Both teams will hit the road to take on Lewis & Clark College this weekend. The Pirates will play the Pioneers on Saturday at 5:00 p.m., while the Missionaries take their turn on Sunday afternoon. |
