Saturday, Oct. 20:
Women’s:
The Whitman women’s soccer team defeated George Fox University 1-0 Saturday at the Whitman Soccer Complex with a performance even more impressive than the score would seem to indicate.
Despite not scoring a goal, Whitman put forth one of their best stretches of soccer yet in the first half. This season, the Missionaries have often had better possession than their opponents, but have struggled to create good scoring opportunities. This was not the case Saturday, as Whitman tormented George Fox’s back line. Junior midfielder Kelsey Roehner repeatedly found room behind the Fox defense, including the 11th minute when she nearly scored off a through-ball from First-year forward Clara Merlino. Despite pressing forward and attacking constantly, the Whitman back line remained stable and compact, only allowing one shot for the half. Whitman, on the other hand took 15 shots in the first half.
Although George Fox got a few more opportunities, Whitman continued their onslaught on goal, with Merlino getting off a dangerous shot at the 68th minute. Still, it looked as if this match was heading into overtime as time dwindled down. After a George Fox free kick in the 88th minute, Whitman countered down the right side. Roehner cut the ball back from the end line to Senior midfielder Jaclyn Rudd at the top of the box, who hammered it into the top right corner of the goal. Although they made it interesting until the end, the Missionaries got the result that they deserved with such dominant play.
The George Fox Bruins now fall to 2-11-2 overall and 1-10 in Northwest Conference play. The Whitman Missionaries are now 4-9-3 overall and 3-6-3 in the NWC.
Men’s:
The Whitman men’s soccer team defeated the George Fox Bruins 2-0, Saturday afternoon at the Whitman Soccer Complex.
Whitman played aggressively early on with four shots on goal in the first ten minutes. Senior forward Leland Matthaeus had two breakaways but was unable to finish with Bruin keeper, Elliot Davis deflecting both attempts. The Bruin defense were forced to play defensively but were able to fend off all attacks by the Missionaries. In the 23rd minute, junior midfieler, Danny Smith attempted to score as did did sophomore forward Bill Landefeld with a shot that bounced off of the Bruin bar. While Whitman’s aggressive gameplay continued throughout the first half with eight shots on goal, the first half ended scoreless.
The second half marked a change of pace for the Missionaries as their offense was finally able to end their scoreless drought. In the 49th minute, sophomore midfielder, Joe Virden took a shot but the ball bounced off the bar and was finished by Matthaeus. This was followed by another goal in the 53rd minute by Landefield with an assist by Mattaeus. Between goals the Missionaries continued their offensive strikes against the Bruins resulting in two yellow cards to Whitman players and an ejection of Missionary coash, Michael Washington in the 75th minute.
Whitman is now 3-5-2 in the NWC and 5-8-3 overall.
Sunday Oct. 21
Women’s:
Women missionaries lost 1-0 to Pacific University in soccer Sunday at noon.
The score during the first half remained 0-0, with Whitman showing strong defense and effective passing. Many spectator parents kept yelling, “Go White,” and White responded by keeping the ball upfield. Whitman players did not stop fighting, aggressively winning balls in their defensive zone and sending them upfield.
PU had some strong traps from high balls, but got a little too aggressive. Pacific 11 got a yellow card after using her arm to win a ball. Near the end of the first half Whitman senior Jaclyn Rudd, made a shot on goal, and with one minute left Whitman made another attempt on goal. During the second half, junior Taylor Thomas, did a tricky pass to Rudd who passed it back, deftly avoiding PU midfielders.
Sophomore Nicolette Carnahan brought the intensity in the defensive zone and did not let any opponents into the center area of the goal. Rudd took a third shot on goal. Whitman almost scored again when freshman Clara Merlino zoomed the ball down the field, but junior Kelsey Roehner scuffled and missed the goal. Merlino made a great interception, was almost at goal when Pacific defense swarmed. Whitman junior MacKenzie Hughes passed the ball upfield, but nobody was homed to accept the pass and score. Whitman goalie, junior Emily Davis, saved a very close ball, but was unable to succeed a second time when PU 11 shot and scored with 9 minutes left in the game. Whitman sophomore Jade Anderson, M, brought the ball from edge of field to center, but Whitman did not score before the game ended.
After this game, Whitman is ranked 3-7-3 in the NWC and 4-10-3 overall.
Men’s:
The Whitman men’s soccer team defeated Pacific University 2-0 at Whitman’s soccer complex on Sunday.
In the first half of the soccer game, the Missionaries looked strong, keeping most of the possession of the ball and on the Boxer’s side of the field. Within the first 10 minutes, four attempts were made with a particularly impressive strikes from junior midfielder Junpei Tsuji and plays inside the box by seniors midfeiler Jed Jacobson, and senior forward Leland Mattaeus.
After an aggressive start, the Missionaries finally scored in the 18th minute by Jacobson with an assist by Mattaeus. There was a clear momentum shift for Whitman and sophomore midfielder Joe Virden scored Whitman’s second goal in the 28th minute of play with an assist by Tsuji.
Whitman continued their offensive game play into the second half and the Boxers responded with some offensive plays and four shots on goal which were blocked by Whitman keeper Michael Bathurst. The Boxers were unable to respond to Whitman’s play and ended the game scoreless.
Whitman is now 4-5-2 in the NWC and 6-8-3 overall. Whitman men’s soccer remains ranked at number six in the conference.