Women’s soccer extends win streak
by the Whitworthian Sports Staff
The Whitworth women’s soccer team continued its winning streak and improved to 5-0 in conference play with a pair of wins against George Fox and Pacific (Ore.).
On Saturday, the Pirates secured their second road victory of the year. Senior midfielder Mackenzie Grow scored the game-winning goal in overtime after a closely matched game. The final score was 1-0.
On Sunday, the Bucs were once again victorious over the Boxers of Pacific University. Grow was able to capitalize on a penalty kick for the first goal of the match. The second goal came in the second half from sophomore midfielder Jackie Day.
Next week the Pirates will compete on Saturday and Sunday as they host Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Puget Sound.
Men’s soccer earns sweep during Oregon trip
The men’s soccer team traveled to George Fox and Pacific (Ore.) last weekend, collecting two more conference victories and taking their record to 4-0 in Northwest Conference play.
Sophomore striker Robby Ubben put away a corner kick taken by junior midfielder Anders Nostdahl in the 31st minute against George Fox on Saturday, which was enough for senior goalkeeper Kyle Novak, who saved all three shots on target from George Fox to produce another shutout for a 1-0 victory.
Strong defense supported by two goals from freshman forward Samuel Engle in the second half helped Whitworth post its seventh shutout in eight opportunities this season en route to a 2-0 victory over Pacific.
The final three undefeated teams in NWC play will be in Spokane next weekend, as Whitworth hosts Pacific Lutheran (5-3-1, 4-0 NWC) on Saturday, and Puget Sound (7-1-1, 4-0 NWC) on Sunday.
Theon leads Whitworth in Idaho
The men’s golf team began the first day of competition with an outstanding 36 holes last weekend at the North Idaho Invitational.
After the first day of competition, both of the attending men’s teams were standing strong at fourth and fifth respectively. Stephen Theon led the Pirates with a 72-74 first two rounds.
The men’s team continued the tournament on Monday, Sept. 24, which was after press time for The Whitworthian. Check online at www.thewhitworthian.com for results and extended coverage of the event.
Men’s golf online extended coverage update:
Whitworth men’s golf conclude play in Idaho
The men’s golf team concluded play at the North Idaho Invitational on Monday. After three rounds of play, the two competing Whitworth men’s teams finished fifth and sixth respectively.
Freshmen Whitworth golfers has strong showings to bolster the team finishes in the tournament.. Freshman Oliver Rudnicki shot a combined score of 222, leading team two with a sixth place finish overall. Freshmen Stephen Thoen also finished tied for 12th place with a combined score of 226.
Freshman Lyle Rudnicki shot a combined 225 to lead team one, giving him a 10th place finish overall. Additionally, freshman Samson Martinez shot 228 to finish 16th overall in the tournament.
“The performance of these freshmen today shows me that we have a very talented group of newcomers with great depth,” said head coach Warren Friedrichs. That depth was especially needed this weekend, as junior Jesse Salzwedel was unable to compete for personal reasons.
“We have good focus and the team environment we’ve fostered is excellent at this point,” Friedrichs said.
“It was great opposition and we got common competitive rounds. Ultimately, we wanted to see who would step forward this weekend.”
Fortunately for the Pirates this week, both team one and two were competitive throughout the tournament.
“I think we’ve played in a lot of big tournaments before, and practice has really helped us prepare mentally for these things,” said freshman Oliver Rudnicki. “The team camaraderie we have makes it really good to play on a team you’re excited to play for.”
While team unity is important, Friedrichs emphasized that performance that is at the top of the Pirates’ list as the season goes on.
“We want to put the Northwest Conference in the national spotlight,” said Friedrichs. “Our league is improving, and that means we’ll need to get consistent play of our team as well as a player or two to step up when we need them to.”
The men’s team will play next weekend at the Whitman Invitational in Walla Walla, Wash. on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.