WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Whitworth men's soccer team fell 3-1 to Northwest Conference rival Whitman College in this season's second iteration of the "Battle of Whits" on Wednesday night.
The Blues (10-0-5, 9-0-2 NWC) remained unbeaten in conference play while the Pirates fell to 5-4-3 overall and 5-3-3 in conference play.
Whitman jumped ahead in the 30th minute with a goal from Fernando Lopez-Vega, assisted by Lucas McAlllister's heel touch. Just before halftime, Johny Cortez played a great through ball down the middle to Gusman, but goalkeeper Niclas Isensee made a kick save to maintain the lead. The Blues finished the first half with five shots on goal to Whitworth's two.
The Blues' lead doubled in the second half after Jude Clum-Stockton took advantage of an indirect free kick in the box due to a goalkeeper handling error in the 53rd minute. Six minutes later, the Pirates responded with Lucas Joehnk's second goal of the season. Cortez beat the goaltender to the ball and got just enough on his touch to the middle for Joehnk to send the ball into an open net.
With under twelve minutes to play, Whitman netted an insurance goal off the foot of Remy Marcks. The Blues outshot the Bucs 16-4 in the second half.
Whitman finished the match with a 23-9 advantage in shots and a 12-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Pirates generated one corner kick to the Blues' three.
Joehnk led the Whitworth attack with three shots and Gusman added two. Five different Pirates had a shot on target. Dax Flanders made a season-high nine saves at goalkeeper.
Riki Kobayashi led all players with four shots and Clum-Stocked finished with three to lead the Whitman attack. McAllister led with three shots on goal. Isensee made four saves.
The Whitworth men will look to get back in the win column on Saturday at home against Linfield.
