Area roundup: Whitworth picked first in NWC men’s soccer

The Whitworth Pirates men’s soccer team has been picked by Northwest Conference coaches to repeat as champion.

The Pirates will start the year under new head coach Morgan Cathey, who takes over for Northwest coach of the year Sean Bushey, who resigned in March after 17 seasons at Whitworth.

Pacific Lutheran (two first-place votes) and Puget Sound (one first-place vote) were picked to finish second and third, respectively.

Whitworth finished 10-2-2 in the conference and 13-3-3 overall before losing in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament to Mississippi College.

Golf

Corey Prugh of Manito Golf & Country Club finished second at the Northwest Open Invitational at Wine Valley G&CC in Walla Walla on Thursday.

Prugh had a final round of 68 to finish with an 8-under 208, tying with amateur Matt Rawitzer behind champion Shane Prante, who finished at 202. Prugh won $4,350.