Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - Avoiding a major upset that could have knocked them out of first place, the Whitworth University Pirates scored with just over five minutes left in the game to pull out a wild 4-3 win over the visiting George Fox University Bruins in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match on a rainy Saturday afternoon here at the Whitworth Soccer Field.

Carlos Pehr gave George Fox an early 1-0 lead when he finished a crossing pass from Justin Meyer in the 26th minute for his fifth goal of the season. It was the Bruins' only shot on goal in the half. Keith Kirsch tied the match in the 30th minute after Curtis Flournoy dribbled around his defender and drew out Bruin keeper Kyle Putnam before dishing to a wide-open Kirsch, who finished from point blank range.

Kirsch gave Whitworth its first lead in the 68th minute when he intercepted a ball deep in the George Fox end, dribbled around to the top of the box, and fired past Putnam into the lower corner of the net. Kirsch's goals were his fourth and fifth of the year. The Bruins tied it a mere 20 seconds later, however, when Keith Marshall's free kick from 35 yards away bounced into the net after Whitworth keeper Scott Barnum was effectively screened on the play. It was Marshall's third tally of the season.

Whitworth went back ahead in the 77th minute when Kirsch passed ahead to Caleb Barnhill for a breakaway goal, his second this fall. Meyer then tied the game again in the 82nd minute, taking a pass from Pehr and drawing Barnum away from the net before finishing for his fourth goal of the season.

Whitworth finally secured the winner when Skye Henderson headed home a corner kick by Travis Jette, scoring his third goal of the year, in the 84th minute.

The Pirates out-shot the Bruins 29-7 overall and 14-4 in shots on goal, but Putnam made several key saves, with nine in all, to keep George Fox in the match. Barnum finished with one save as the Bruins were able to score on three of their four shots on net.

George Fox (3-10-2, NWC 1-7-2) continues its eastern Washington swing Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. against Whitman College in Walla Walla. Whitworth (11-2-1, NWC 9-1) hosts Willamette University Sunday, also at 2:30 p.m.