by Craig Russell | Staff Writer
The Whitworth Pirates started the second half of the Northwest Conference off strong gaining two wins this past weekend. They went 3-0 against Linfield Saturday Oct. 14 and 2-1 against Willamette Sunday Oct. 15.
Against Linfield Moi Diaz, ‘18, was able to gain Whitworth the lead very early. In the third minute, he intercepted a pass and scored. Not long after, Eric Espinoza, ‘18, got the ball to Diaz who was able to score again.
In the second half Whitworth still allowed no goals. Jonah Snyder, ‘18, was able to make a penalty kick at the six-minute mark.
The game ended with Whitworth up 11-5 in shots, and up 5-1 on shots on goal.
The second game also ended in a Pirate victory. In the 25th minute, Diaz made a shot that Espinoza was able to redirect into the goal. Then Willamette’s Patrick Charlton received a cross pass and was able to make it past Whitworth keeper Jesus Nunez, ‘20.
The Pirates broke the tie in the last 10 minutes of play. Kyle Cacoyannis, ‘20, drove deep into the defense and make the game winning shot.
Whitworth had 13 shots (10 on goal), and Willamette had 15 (six on goal).
Those win put the Pirates at four straight wins, and at a record of 7-6-1.
Whitworth plays Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran this coming weekend at home Oct. 21 and 22 respectively. Both games are at 2:30.