SPOKANE, Wash. – Senior midfielder Cameron Bushey scored twice to lead Whitworth to a 2-0 victory over the Linfield men’s soccer club Saturday afternoon.

In winning their third straight match, the Pirates (12-3-1, 10-2 NWC) dealt the Wildcats (2-12-1, 1-10-1 NWC) their third consecutive loss, all of which have been shutouts.

The clubs were evenly matched in terms of shot attempts over the first part of the opening half with three apiece. But it was the Pirates who connected with the back of the net first when Taylor Willis assisted Bushey on a free kick in the 26th minute. Bushey approached the ball first, tapping it to Willis who returned it to Bushey for the score.

Halftime statistics only slightly favored the Pirates, who outshot the visitors 7-5 over the first 45 minutes. But Whitworth wore down the opposition in the second period, unleashing 14 shots on the Linfield defense. While the Wildcat defense fell apart, the Pirate back line was nearly impenetrable, allowing just one shot in the entire second stanza.

Bushey put the game out of reach in the 66th minute when he scored an unassisted goal off a free kick placed in the middle of the box. He put the ball into the right side of the net, out of reach for Linfield goalkeeper Scott Goodman.

Whitworth keeper Brian Sherpe was only seriously tested three times, making a save each time. For Linfield, Cody Tipton made a pair of saves in the first half before receiving a red card about 3 ½ minutes into the second period for using his hands outside of the box. Goodman, who replaced him, made four saves in the loss.

Offensively, Harper Taylor (Sr., Clackamas, Ore.) and Eric Gutierrez led the ‘Cats with two shots apiece.

NEXT: The Wildcats travel to their final road match of the year at Whitman Sunday afternoon before returning home for the regular season finale against Willamette. Both matches are scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. start.