TACOMA, WASH. -- Willamette University gave up two goals in a span of 37 seconds early in the game and the Bearcats were never able to recover, as Pacific Lutheran University defeated WU, 5-0, in a Northwest Conference game on Sunday, Oct. 8. The Bearcats lost for the sixth consecutive game and fell to 1-10-1 overall, 0-6-1 in the NWC. Pacific Lutheran upped its record to 7-4, including 4-2 in the NWC.
The Lutes scored at 5:44 on a goal by Derek MacLean, assisted by Baard Asker. PLU hit the net again at 6:21, with the goal earned by Asker with an assist from Peter Thomas. The score remained 2-0 until Adam Ladage scored for the Lutes at 39:33. Andy Hyres assisted on the play.
Willamette took seven shots in the first half, including three shots on goal, but PLU goalkeeper Andrew Croft responded with three saves. PLU took 13 shots in the first half, with six shots on goal.
The Lutes created eight shots in the second half and placed seven of them on goal, as Pacific Lutheran added two more goals. Mike Ferguson contributed both goals, with Thomas assisting at 46:03 and Henrik Oiseth providing an assist at 57:33. PLU limited the Bearcats to just two shots over the final 45 minutes, with no shots on goal.
Mark Bennett (Fr., GK, Salt Lake City, UT/West HS) registered a total of eight saves for the Bearcats. He earned five saves in the second half and has recorded 71 saves in Willamettes 12 games.
Casey Dineen (Fr., MF, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) led the Bearcats with three shots against Pacific Lutheran. He had one shot on goal. WUs other shots on goal were taken by Trevor Jones (Jr., MF, Portland, OR/Grant HS) and Andrew Monbouquette (Fr., MF, Omaha, NE/Omaha Central HS).
Willamette returns home for its next two games. The Bearcats will host NWC foe Whitworth College on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 2:30 p.m. (PDT). WU is set to host Whitman College in another NWC contest on Sunday, Oct. 15, starting at 2:30 p.m. (PDT).