Oct. 19, 2008
Boxers' Early Goal Spells Defeat for Pacific Lutheran
PARKLAND, Wash. - Kizamu Tsutakawa scored the only goal of the match at the 7:15 mark and goalkeeper Andrew Stevermer recorded his fifth shutout of the season as the visiting Pacific Boxers defeated Pacific Lutheran, 1-0, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match played Sunday afternoon.
The Boxers came out with aggressive attacking play, putting the Lutes on their heels early. They were rewarded for their hard work when Tsutakawa, racing in from the left, met Michael Iacolucci's cross from the right wing and ripped it past PLU goalkeeper Daniel Mangum.
Pacific continued its strong play, not allowing the host Lutes a shot until the 24th minute. By that time, the Boxers had already put seven shots and three corner kicks on the statistics page. They nearly added a second goal in the 30th minute when a shot from a corner kick was cleared off the line, followed by a save from Mangum on Avery Neal's rebound effort.
While the Boxers were winning nearly every loose ball in the air and on the ground, Stevermer was stopping the Lutes at every turn. The 6-5 sophomore from Wyoming used his large frame to take away threats in the air, and he was quick to cover up several of the Lutes' goal-bound shots.
Pacific finished the game with 14 shots, including six on goal, while the Lutes had nine shots, five of which Stevermer saved. The Boxers also owned a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Pacific Lutheran, which suffered its second straight conference loss, returns to NWC play at 2:30 p.m. next Saturday when it hosts the Whitworth Pirates.
- PLU -
