By John Lind, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

TACOMA, WASH. -- Willamette University scored first in its Northwest Conference mens soccer match against Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Oct. 20, but it was the Lutes who prevailed, answering with three goals en route to a 3-1 win.

Willamettes record moved to 7-7-1 (4-5-1 NWC). PLU improved its record to 8-5-2 (7-2-1 NWC), as the Lutes remained in second place in the conference standings with 22 points.

Despite an active and evenly-fought first half, the two teams remained scoreless in the first 45 minutes. The Bearcats held the edge in shots, 7-6, and corner kicks, 5-3, over the Lutes.

It was less than nine minutes into the second half when Willamette broke the 0-0 tie. Erik Kaufman (F, Sr., Portland, Ore./Grant HS) collected the ball following a Bearcat corner kick and found the back of the net, putting Willamette up 1-0.

It took the Lutes about eight minutes to respond. At 60:22, Emmanuel Amarh received a pass from Taylor Jackson and beat Bearcat goalkeeper Brayden Calder (GK, Fr., Philomath, Ore./Philomath HS) with the equalizer.

The Lutes tacked on their second goal just seven minutes later at 67:43. PLU midfielder Giancarlo Santoro found himself in a one-on-one scenario with Calder and converted to make the score 2-1.

Santoro would find the net again at 86:19 off a Lute corner kick.

For the game, PLU outshot Willamette 16-12, though their advantage in shots on goal was only 6-5.

Mike McGrew (MF, Sr. Portland, Ore./Grant HS) led the Bearcats with three shots and one shot on goal. Etienne Galbreath (D, Sr., Portland, Ore./Grant HS) and Trevor Jensen, (Jr., MF, Chula Vista, Calif.(Bonita HS) also contributed two shots apiece. Willamette also held an edge in corner kicks during the game, 8-4.

Calder played all 90 minutes and finished with three saves.

It was an intense and physical game, as Willamette committed ten fouls compared to seven fouls for the Lutes. Three yellow cards were issued during the game -- two to the Bearcats and one to PLU. Willamette was called for offside violations five times, but the Lutes avoided receiving any offside calls.

Willamette continues its weekend road trip on Sunday, Oct. 21 with another NWC match. The Bearcats will be playing against the University of Puget Sound, with game time is set for 2:30 p.m. (PDT) in Tacoma, Wash.