Lewis & Clark College

SPOKANE, Wash.—Juniors Eli Kraft and Sam London each scored, to help lead Lewis & Clark College men's soccer to the program's first win since the program returned to varsity status in 2022. 

THE BASICS 
 
Lewis & Clark 2, Whitworth 0
(Lewis & Clark 1-5, Northwest Conference 1-2)
(Whitworth 2-3, NWC 0-1) 

COACHES CORNER
 
"This win belongs to every player who has put on a Lewis & Clark shirt since the program resumed," head coach Fraser Morrison said. "A lot of young men have worked incredibly hard to move this program forward, often without getting the reward on the scoresheet, so today is a reflection of all of that work.
 
I'm incredibly happy for this group because they've continued to show up, believe and raise the standard every day. 
 
We're also extremely grateful for the support of our administration, families, alumni and everyone who has invested in this program. It's one win and we have a lot of work ahead of us, but it's a special moment for everyone who has been part of the journey." 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
 
After holding their hosts scoreless in the first half, Kraft and London scored 20 minutes apart in the second half to lift the River Otters to a win in their 73^rd game back at the varsity level. 
 
Senior keeper Micaiah Garan posted his program-leading third shutout in the win. Garan made five saves – including three in the first half to keep the game scoreless. 
 
The River Otters struck first on a long throw just after halftime. Junior Kaden Nakamura launched a throw in to the near post and Kraft threw his body ahead of the defender and managed to lift a header over the keeper towards the back post. A Whitworth defender attempted to head the ball off the line but redirected it towards the keeper who punched the ball up and off the crossbar. The ball came down just inside the goal line and after a brief pause the referee blew the whistle and signaled the goal counted at 47:15.
 
Lewis & Clark doubled their lead off another play that started with a long throw. The ball was cleared outside the goal box but Nakamura floated a cross into the box looking for London. The junior was pulled down by a defender and the referee pointed to the spot. London stepped up to take the penalty and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way and laced his shot into right side of the net at 67:19. 

Ryland Crane posted the lone shot on target for the Pirates in the final 20+ minutes. His attempt in the 75^thminute was partially blocked and made for an easy save for Garan. 
 
Lewis & Clark held Whitworth without a shot or corner kick in the final 15 minutes to earn their collective first collegiate win. 

The River Otters back three of juniors Talen Haywood and Sam Gunderson and sophomore Ren Fukuoka helped Lewis & Clark hold an opponent to a season-low nine shots. 

As the final seconds bled off the clock, the ball was floated in to Garan and the bench streamed on to the field to celebrate together in their own goal box. 
 
BY THE NUMBERS 

• Saturday's win marked the first win for Lewis & Clark College men's soccer since October 31, 1990 when they defeated Concordia College (Ore.). The win marked their first conference victory since October 7, 1990 when they knocked off Whitman College 2-0. 
• Morrison earned his first collegiate victory on Saturday. The second-year head coach has been with the program since its return to varsity status. 
• Kraft scored his first collegiate goal in the victory. The junior transfer made the most of his seven minutes off the bench with one goal on one shot. 
• Garan posted his third career shutout on Saturday. He is the only keeper in program history to notch a shutout since the program returned to varsity status. 
• London scored his second goal of the season and third career penalty on Saturday. He sits third all-time in program history in career goals with five. 
• Prior to Saturday, Lewis & Clark was 0-68-4 in their first 4+ seasons. The River Otters had held multiple two goals leads, including Friday, September 11 against Pacific, but had never managed to hold on. The program has won multiple exhibition games and scrimmages but Saturday's contest was their first win in a countable game. 
• Juniors Ali Alfstad, Dylan Weinstein and Haywood and first year Eliot Shepard played all 90 minutes in the win. Shepard was making his second collegiate start and played the full 90 minutes for the first time in a collegiate game. 
• Whitworth finished with a 9-4 lead in shots and a 5-4 edge in shots on goal.  

WHO'S NEXT 
 
Lewis & Clark will take on defending Northwest Conference Champions Whitman College on Sunday at Noon.