INW DII-III College Recap – Week Nine: Whitworth men reclaim control; Central Washington stuns Vikings

Among the Division II action this week in the GNAC, the Central Washington and MSU-Billings women were unbeaten on the road with the Wildcats posting the biggest result, ending ranked Western Washington's amazing home win streak with a draw. Amidst the Division III Northwest Conference was Whitworth's pair of dramatic home wins in overtime that kept them in the heated three-way race for the league title.

Here is a rundown of the area schools and their conferences as well as how players from the Inland Northwest performed around the nation in the past week.

Whitworth women snare 1-0 win in home finale; Wren leads men to 3-0 win

The Whitworth men will celebrate Senior Day next Saturday vs regional foe Whitman | Photos: Gerald Barnhart

The Whitworth women closed out their home slate with their eighth conference play shutout performance and claimed the victory against visiting Lewis & Clark on a late goal from Jackie Day, and the Pirate men had yet another easy go of it as they blanked Linfield 3-0 in a game in which reserves saw plenty of action and defender Will Wren tallied a brace playing up top.

College Recap - NWC & GNAC: Whitworth women fall short as men learn NCAA foe; MSUB falls to WWU in Final

A rough Halloween week proved to be more trick than treat for the Whitworth women as they saw their title hopes dashed with three losses. After clinching the title last week, the men played their reserves in the final match as they awaited news of their NCAA DIII Tournament draw. Meanwhile, in the Division II GNAC, MSU-Billings bid for a berth via an upset against Western Washington was dashed in the league final.

Week 5 Collegiate INW Best XI – Women

For games through Sunday, September 16. Next week a new feature will debut, giving you an opportunity to select the Players of the Week via Facebook.

INWsoccernews.com WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE WEEK

F - Cassie Black (Battle Ground, WA) – Eastern Washington :: It was difficult to choose over Montignani’s pair of hat-tricks, but Black was crucial against two quality opponents. She struck for a goal and an assist as the Eagles defeated the University of Idaho Friday and tallied the game-winner in a 2-1 victory against the University of Hawaii Sunday.

Whitworth sinks visitors Lewis & Clark, Linfield in pair of 2-0 wins

Amy Sterk and Will Wren dominated the day for Whitworth in doubleheader | Photos: Gerald Barnhart

The Pirates picked up where they left off at home last weekend at home. The two sides dominated from start to finish to post a pair of 2-0 shutout victories with the ladies downing the Lewis & Clark Pioneers and the men blanking the Linfield Wildcats. Amy Sterk and Will Wren, who was about to lose his freedom to come forward from his left back position, led the way with key performances in the two wins.

The ladies came off a near-upset of a ranked opponent last week to get a win in their conference opener on the road Wednesday, 1-0 at Whitman, and the men were following up their 1-0 victory over seventh-ranked Wheaton.

Conference Play Preview - Northwest Conference - DIII

Conference play kicks off this weekend for the men and women as each team plays twice. The lone INW school, Whitworth, will be at home for all four matches. The men will host Linfield Saturday and Willamette Sunday while the women will play host to Lewis & Clark and Willamette, respectively. The two doubleheaders will feature the women playing at noon and the men at 2:30.