By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant

SALEM, Ore. – The Willamette University men's soccer team battled with visiting Pacific Lutheran University, but fell, 1-0, on Sunday, Oct. 3, at Sparks Field. The Lutes converted on a corner kick to break the tie in the 58th minute.

Craig Johnson served the cross on the corner and Cole Dobson redirected a header into the net for the game-winner.

Possession time was relatively even as the teams went back and forth throughout the match. Willamette held a slim advantage in shots, 11-7, and forced four corners while allowing three on the defensive end.

Max Berner-Hays (Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) put a strong shot on net in the 64th minute and Jett Starr (Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) added another with just under two minutes remaining in regulation, but sophomore goaltender Nicholas Gaston of PLU was able to come away with a pair of saves.

Gaston turned away four shots on the day while Bearcat goalkeeper Pierluca Carnovale (Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) finished the match with four saves. Starr tallied three shots, putting them all on net, while Ryan Sato (Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) added two shots to lead the Bearcat attack.

The Bearcats moved to 6-3 overall and to 4-2 in the Northwest Conference. Pacific Lutheran improved to 9-2 overall and remained unbeaten in the NWC at 6-0 on the year.

Willamette returns to action next Saturday, Oct. 9, when the Bearcats will travel to Linfield University for a 2:30 p.m. (PDT) start. Linfield, 1-8-1 overall and 0-5-1 in the NWC, tied the University of Puget Sound 1-1 in two overtimes on Sunday.