Sept. 29, 2007

Whitworth Stays in NWC Men’s Soccer Lead With Win at PLU

Box Score

PARKLAND, Wash. – Curtis Flourney came off the bench to score the game’s only goal in the 48th minute as Whitworth defeated Pacific Lutheran, 1-0, in a Northwest Conference men’s soccer match played Saturday at the PLU field.

Flourney’s goal, his first of the 2007 season, came in the 48th minute on an assist from Matt Friesen. Meanwhile, Whitworth limited the usually potent PLU attack to just four shots, two on goal, and both of those were stopped by goalkeeper Scott Barnum.

The whitewash was the Pirates’ sixth straight of the year and led to their seventh win of the season against one loss and one tie. Whitworth is in sole possession of first place in the Northwest Conference with a 5-0-0 record. Pacific Lutheran, which came into the match having won four straight matches by shutout, falls to 4-5 for the season and 2-1 in the Northwest Conference.

The match was tightly contested as Whitworth managed just seven shots against the Lutes. The Pirates had a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Both teams return to action on Sunday in matches that are scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. The Lutes host the Whitman Missionaries, while the Pirates have an early season showdown against defending conference champion Puget Sound, which is 8-0 overall and 3-0 in the conference.

- PLU -