By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant

TACOMA, Wash. – The Willamette University men's soccer team moved into a first-place tie in the Northwest Conference with a 3-2 win at Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Oct. 16. The host Lutes held the top spot heading into the match, but the win by the Bearcats move both teams to a 6-2 record in the NWC. Willamette improved to 8-3 overall while PLU now stands at 9-4 on the season.

Willamette struck first, scoring just 5:55 into the match. It was the first goal of the season for Simon Kidder (So., M, Bend, OR/Summit HS) and was assisted by Pierce Gallaway (Jr., M, Carmel, CA/Carmel).

The Lutes countered with a pair of goals, as Cris Lozano scored in the 13th minute and later assisted Sam Erickson to put PLU in front 2-1 with just under 14 minutes remaining in the first half.

Galloway pulled the Bearcats even, converting a penalty kick with 5:23 left before halftime. The teams remained tied 2-2 at the break.

The Bearcats struck quickly again to open the second half as Sean Kim (So., F, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) assisted Abdul Ali (Jr., D, West Linn, OR/West Linn HS) for his first goal of the season. Ali's goal was scored just 4:26 after the break.

Willamette held on for the win, with both teams going scoreless for the final 40 minutes. Pacific Lutheran had some chances, but sophomore goaltender Pierluca Carnovale (Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) turned away three shots in the second half to preserve the lead.

The Bearcats produced four shots in the second period, but did not force any saves from PLU goaltender Nicholas Gaston. The Lutes held a slim advantage in shots for the match, 14-12, while Willamette held the edge in corner kicks, 7-4. Each team placed eight shots on target.

Gaston finished with five saves on the day, all in the first half. Carnovale earned three in the first period and finished with six for the match, as he improved his record to 7-3 in the nets.

Willamette first-year Head Coach Sam Adelman was pleased with his team's performance. He commented, "PLU is a good team, but we had a lot of confidence going into the match that we could get the result." He added, "This win keeps us on track for our goals we set this season. Now it's about being consistent."

Adelman and the Bearcats will look to carry that momentum into Sunday's (Oct. 17) match at the University of Puget Sound. Opening kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).