News Release Date:
Saturday, November 8

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- The Whitman College men's soccer team wrapped up its best season in years Saturday afternoon at home, outshooting George Fox 28-6 en route to a 1-0 Northwest Conference victory.

But the Missionaries fell just short of a NWC title when Whitworth University got past Pacific University 4-0 Saturday in Spokane to capture the conference crown.

Whitworth finished in the top spot with a 10-2-2 NWC record, just two points in front of Whitman and its 9-2-3 record. The Pirates get an automatic berth in the NCAA Div. III national tournament while the Missionaries are left hoping for an at-large bid on Sunday.

Stephen Phillips booted Saturday's only goal -- his team-leading eighth of the season -- in the 11th minute of the first half, finding the net from 15 yards after collecting a cross from Jason Shon. Whitman peppered Bruins keeper Danny Kamma with 14 shots in each half, but Kamma made a handful of spectacular saves to  keep the game close. 

At the other end of the field, Whitman keeper Brett Axelrod needed to make just one first-half save to post his NWC-best 10th shutout of the season. 

Up 1-0 at intermission, Whitman came out firing to open the second half, blistered the Bruins defense with 11 shots over the first 26 minutes. Kamma soared high to push Shon's over the crossbar, and made a quick kick save one of the five shots that Phillips took.

Shon also finished the afternoon with five shots, as did Marc Nabelek. Greg Phillips and Jordan Droppert added four shots each.

Axelrod made his only save at the 2:15 mark of the first half on a shot by Jon Gutierrez. Five other Bruins had one shot each.

Whitman ended its season with an 11-2-7 record overall. George Fox was 1-11-2 in the NWC and 2-15-3 on the season.

Stephen and Greg Phillips, Axelrod, Shon, Nabelek and Droppert were among the 11 Whitman seniors recognized in pre-game ceremonies. Other Missionary seniors playing Saturday were Kevin Sigley, Greg Phillips, Mike McKenzie, Cole Rathjen and Simon Quay.
 

Box score

CONTACT: Dave Holden
Sports Information Director
Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash.
509 527-5902; holden@whitman.edu