By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Whitworth University scored two goals early in the second half, and Ardem Baronian  (Jr., M, Los Altos, CA/St. Francis HS) responded for Willamette University less than five minutes later, but the Pirates held on for a 2-1 win in the Northwest Conference men's soccer opener for both teams on Saturday, Sept. 18. Whitworth upped its record to 2-2-1 on the season, 1-0 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 2-2-0 overall, 0-1 in the NWC.

Each team took six shots during a scoreless first half. Whitworth broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half when Beckett Arther hit the net with a shot at 47:00. He was assisted on the play by Jonathan Guglielmetti. The Pirates added a second goal just 1:41 later on a shot by Dominic Gusman. Victor Loyola was credited with an assist.

Whitworth's 2-0 lead was cut in half at 53:15 on the goal by Baronian. The goal, Baronian's second of the season, was assisted by Sean Kim (So., M, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS). Willamette outshot the Pirates 6-4 the rest of the way, including five shots that forced saves by Whitworth goalkeeper Bo Broyles, but the Bearcats were unable to register a stying goal. The final two saves by Broyles were on shots from Max Berner-Hays (Sr., D, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) at 87:33 and from Sebastian Ruelas (Sr., F/M, Salem, OR/South Salem HS/Chemeketa CC) at 88:37.

Willamette outshot Whitworth 15-12 overall, including 9-6 in shots on goal. Berner-Hays and Baronian each took four shots and placed three shots on goal. For the Pirates, Loyola took three shots, all on target, and Gusman finished with three shots, including two shots on goal. The Pirates gained a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.

Pierluca Carnovale (So., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) made four saves for the Bearcats. Broyles registered eight saves for the Pirates.

Willamette will play an NWC game at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, on Sunday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. (PDT). The Bearcats will play their first regular season home game on Saturday, Sept. 25 against Pacific University. Game time at Sparks Field is set for 2:30 p.m.