Whitworth men’s soccer team continues highest standards

Even on a rainy Wednesday afternoon, the Whitworth soccer players arrived at practice, stepping lively while coach Morgan Cathey greeted them with a smile as broad as the pitch.

Winning will do that, and lately Whitworth has been doing nothing else. Sure, there was that 1-1 tie last weekend at George Fox, which spoiled the Pirates’ perfect record but may serve a higher purpose.

“That was just a wake-up call, to get us to refocus,” said senior forward Sam Engle, who like the rest of his team carries a cup that’s always seems to be half full.

These days, that cup is overflowing. Even by their lofty standards, the Pirates are off to a great start in Cathey’s third year: They’re 9-0-1, ranked third in the nation and No. 1 in the West Region of Division III going into Saturday’s home match against Whitman.

For that, Cathey credits longtime coach Sean Bushéy, who led the Pirates to eight NWC titles and recruited most of the current seniors.

“I’m just very lucky to take over here,” said Cathey, who was anything but in his first season. He arrived in Spokane two years ago as a 29-year-old in his first head coaching job. Before the season began, he and his family lost most of their belongings to a house fire. The Pirates finished 12-3-3, with all three defeats by one goal, and didn’t make the NCAAs.

Since then, the Pirates are 26-2-4. Last year they won the Northwest Conference title and reached the Division III Sweet 16, while posting the third-best record in school history.

Again, Cathey takes on a slice of the credit. “When you look at the players who are having great success, I didn’t recruit them,” Cathey said. “Sean laid an amazing foundation.”

Cathey has made some renovations. He switched formations from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 to give his forwards more scoring opportunities. In the back, he just replaced three graduating starters with freshmen and transfers. The result: seven shutouts in 10 matches.

Led by senior captain Spencer Wolfe and new starters Aaron Yanagi, Tyler Pangia and Caleb Bia, the Pirates defenders have teamed with keeper Timmy Costa to give up just three goals.

“I think you could put our back five against any back five in the country, in any division,” Cathey said. “They’re not just good at defending, but dictating.”

“Even when the ball is at our keeper’s feet, we believe that we can create quality possessions,” Cathey said.

Up front, that means more quality chances for Engle and fellow senior Karl Muelheims, who’ve combined for 14 of the Pirates’ 26 goals. Muelheims has a 28.6 percent shot-to-goal average that’s among the best in the country.

“He’s one of the best in the business in getting in good position and punishing the opposition,” said Cathey, adding that his players are reaping the results of hard work.

For Muelheims, that included adjusting to a new coach and a new system. “It’s been different,” said Muelheims, a St. George’s product who played for Bushéy with the Shadow as a youngster and as a freshman at Whitworth.

“But the process remains the same: If we can do the little things right, things will get better,” Muelheims said.

As if they haven’t already.

“It’s very exciting for our guys to be recognized nationally for all their hard work,” said Cathey, noting that Division III includes 410 soccer-playing institutions. “To be in the top three is very impressive for our guys.”

Not that the Pirates are letting it show.

“I really don’t look at the rankings,” Muelheims said. “You just have to go out and earn it every day.”

With that, Muelheims and Engle went to work, a spring in their steps.