by Craig Russell | Staff Writer
This weekend the Pirates played two competitive games. Saturday they tied with Pacific Lutheran ending the game 1-1; Sunday they lost 1-4 against Puget Sound.
The Pirates (top seed) started this weekend off facing the number two seed, Pacific Lutheran Lutes, in a physical game with both keepers very active. They came out with fire taking 10 shots in the first 30 minutes of the game.
The Pirate’s first goal was made at the 30 minute mark by number twenty-three Micah Weller, ‘18, assisted by Blake Hepler, ‘20. Hepler made an interior pass deep into the box allowing Weller to kick it in even with a defender on his back. The half ended 1-0.
The Lutes came into the second half strong, trying to make up the deficit. Jesus Nunez, ‘20, goal keeper, had a great save on a shot from the Lutes’ Eddie Na, the league’s lead scorer, who tried to make a heel kick from inside the box. Then, just after the 60 minute mark, Na broke through a double team to find an opening and tie the game up 1-1.
After this, both teams were fired up and the ball went from one side of the field to the other as both teams looked for an opening to take the lead. This carried over into both overtime periods, but neither team could find the goal they needed. The game ended 1-1, with 16 shots for Whitworth and 15 for Lutheran.
Sunday, Puget Sound took the lead early on. At the close of the first half the Loggers were up 3-1.
A pass to the Whitworth keeper was made into the first goal for the Loggers only five minutes in. Then another goal came 15 minutes later from Chet Selis, followed by a penalty kick goal by him as well, putting the Loggers up 3-0. The Pirates stayed strong with Jonah Snyder, ‘18, beaming a goal from way outside the box. The first half ended 3-1.
The second half Whitworth went without an additional goal and one more for the Loggers. The 4-1 game ended with both Whitworth and Pacific Lutheran at eight shots, six on goal.
Next weekend the Pirates play Willamette on Saturday and Linfield on Sunday. Both games are home at 2:30 p.m.