By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

TACOMA, WASH. -- Pacific Lutheran University defeated Willamette University, 3-0, on Saturday, Sept. 18 in the Northwest Conference opener for both teams. PLU improved to 2-3-1 overall, 1-0 in the NWC. Willamette also ended the game with a 2-3-1 overall record. The Bearcats are 0-1 in the NWC.

Willamette kept the game scoreless through the end of the first half. PLU got on the board early in the second half when Lucas McCallum scored at 48:55 on assists from Surafel Wodajo and Brennen Hall. The Lutes increased their lead to 2-0 less than six minutes later on a goal by Daniele Zaccagnini at 54:24. Wodajo earned his second assist of the game.

Pacific Lutheran completed the scoring at 70:27, when Chad Kearns sent the ball into the net. Brenden Cohen received an assist on the play.

The Lutes outshot Willamette, 22-8, including 12-3 in shots on goal. Willamette had just one shot in the first half, but registered seven shots over the final 45 minutes. PLU achieved 11 shots in each half.

Both teams piled up corner kicks. Pacific Lutheran took 12 corners, while Willamette had nine. In the second half, there were 13 corners overall -- seven by PLU and six by the Bearcats.

PLU goalkeeper Brian Kostol recorded the shutout for the Lutes. He made three saves. Willamette goalie Eben Hellekson (Sr., Honolulu, HI/University Laboratory School) achieved nine saves.

For Willamette, Brendan Dineen (Jr., D, Portland, OR/Grant HS) took three shots, including one shot on goal. Zaccagnini of Pacific Lutheran topped all players with eight shots, five on goal.

The Bearcats will played at the University of Puget Sound on Sunday, Sept. 19. Game time for the Northwest Conference battle is set for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).