SPOKANE – Northwest used a three-goal first half and held off Whitworth for a 5-2 win to open the season Tuesday.
 
Elliot Misic racked up two goals and two assists on three shots to lead the Eagles to their first win over the Pirates.
 
"I'm pleased with how the team approached today's game," said NU Head Coach Gary McIntosh. "Our mentality, decision making, and execution of what we wanted to do was spot on. We scored five great goals all from plays that we set up. Our chemistry on the field is coming together and it showed today. We have some things we need to work on as we gave up two goals but it's early in the season and we will have time to iron things out. We will enjoy today's win and will get back to work tomorrow to get ready for the next game."
 
Misic scored twice in the first nine minutes. He put the ball in the lower left of the goal with an assist by Frederik Marten in the eighth minute and went high and right for the second goal, using an assist from Kyle Han, in the ninth minute.
 
Seito Gao used a feed from Misic to put the Eagles ahead 3-0 in the 15^th minute.
 
The 3-0 lead held the rest of the half.
 
Ian Reynoso made it a 4-0 contest in the 54^th minute.
 
Whitworth got on the board with a Beckett Arthur goal in the 56^th minute and made it interesting in the 61^st minute with a goal by Victor Loyola, trimming the NU lead to 4-2.
 
Gian Herrera got the final goal, playing off of a Misic assist, in the 76^th minute.
 
Alexander Thiehofe had five saves for the victory in goal.
 
NU was out-shot 13-12, but put more shots on goal (8-7). Along with Misic's three shots on goal, Tyler Hopp tested the keeper twice.
 
The 1-0 Eagles play at Whitman College at 6 p.m., Sept. 1.