Repeat performances as Whitworth posts pair of shutouts against Willamette

Wren and Sterk celebrate their game-winning goals | Photos: Gerald Barnhart

The Whitworth women have put the Northwest Conference on notice that the pair of Amy Sterk and Tiara Pajimola are a difficult duo to contend with. And while scoring for the 16th-ranked men’s side may be hard to come by, a bend-but-don’t-break defense is proving to be difficult to crack – something the ladies have also employed to start the conference campaign.

It was a day of déjà vu Sunday as the scoring summaries were nearly identical from the day before, only with the Willamette University Bearcats the victims. Sterk and Pajimola once again scored, in the same order but in the first half this time, and the lone scorer for the men was left back Will Wren, who had to settle for just one, a late game-winner, after tallying the first two of his career 24 hours earlier as the Pirates posted 2-0 and 1-0 victories, respectively.

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.