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

TACOMA, Wash. -- In a key men's soccer battle in the Northwest Conference, Jett Starr (Jr., F, Portland, OR/Cleveland HS) scored early in the second half as Willamette University took a 1-0 lead, but Pacific Lutheran University responded with two goals to grab a 2-1 win over the Bearcats. Willamette threatened to score several times in the final 25 minutes, but couldn't find the equalizer.

Willamette, ranked #8 in NCAA Division III, slipped to 12-2-2 overall, including 10-2 in the NWC. PLU, ranked #23 in NCAA Division III, advanced its record to 15-3 overall, 9-3 in the NWC. Willamette still tops the NWC standings with 30 points, while the Lutes hold second place with 27 points. The Bearcats can clinch winning the NWC title outright with victories in their final two games.

The teams played to a 0-0 tie at halftime, with Pacific Lutheran owning a 6-4 margin in total shots. WU goalkeeper Pierluca Carnovale (Jr., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) registered four saves in the first half.

Starr broke the scoreless deadlock at 48:54 with his seventh goal of the season. He was assisted on the play by Drew Alexander (Fy., D, San Mateo, CA/Junipero Serra HS). Starr was near the right post when he tapped the ball into the net after Alexander passed the ball from the left side.

Pacific Lutheran tied the score 1:07 later on a goal by Trevor Thompson on an assist from Keeton Heggerness. It was Thompson's 11 goal of the season, tying him with Willamette's Pierce Gallaway (Sr., M, Carmel, CA/Carmel HS) for the NWC lead. Heggerness began the play with a long pass from midfield. Thompson ran to the ball and shot from 15 yards on the left side, sending a looping shot just under the crossbar.

Alex White scored the go-ahead goal for the Lutes at 57:53. Robby Guyer, who took a corner kick from the left side moments before the goal, received the ball again and passed from just inside the penalty area to the right post. Whited headed the ball into the net. The sequence followed a spectacular save by Carnovale on a header by White.

The Bearcats missed barely wide right on a diving redirection at 65:31. Later, two shots by Andrew Reed (So., M, Portland, OR/Franklin HS) were saved by PLU goalkeeper Nicholas Gaston at 70:03 and 70:56. With just under four minutes remaining, a corner kick by Willamette led to a header by Dylan Ray (Fy., D, Torrance, CA/West HS) from several yards outside the right post. Ray's shot hit the crossbar and sailed through the goal mouth.

Pacific Lutheran achieved a 13-11 lead in total shots, and an 11-2 advantage in shots on goal, although the Bearcats had several other close attempts. The Lutes held an 8-5 margin in corner kicks.

Carnovale accumulated seven saves for Willamette. Defenders also provided WU with two team saves. Gaston made one save for PLU.

Willamette will take on the University of Puget Sound on Sunday, Oct. 30 in Tacoma. Kickoff for the NWC match-up is set for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).