SPOKANE, Wash. - It was a typically wild Northwest Conference men's soccer match on Saturday between visiting Pacific Lutheran University and Whitworth University as the host Pirates gave up a two-goal, second-half lead before scoring twice more late to hold onto first place in the conference standings with the 4-2 victory.

The win lifts 24th-ranked Whitworth to 9-2-1 overall and 7-1 in the NWC. The Lutes fell to 8-5 overall, 5-3 in the conference.

The Pirates had to weather an early storm by PLU as the Lutes outshot Whitworth 8-1 over the first 15 minutes. Pirate keeper Brian Sherpe made a diving save on a shot by Derek MacLean in the ninth minute and then was forced to make another save on a shot by Spencer Augustin in the 15th minute.

The Pirates steadied the ship and balanced the play on the field. But the time Elly Bulega scored his fifth goal of the season in the 36th minute, Whitworth had gained some control of the match. Bulega's goal came after a scramble in front of the Lutes' net that included a shot by Keith Kirsch that banged off of the goal post.

Two minutes later, Taylor Willi passed ahead to Kekoa Mountcastle, who beat PLU keeper Brian Kostol with a shot just inside the far post. It was Mountcastle's sixth goal of the season.

The score remained 2-0 through the first 28 minutes of the second half. PLU nearly cut into the lead when Surafel Wodajo lofted over Sherpe, but Whitworth defender Nate Spangler was there to head the ball out of the goal at the last moment.

Daniele Zaccagnini finally got the Lutes on the board after drawing a foul in the box in the 72nd minute. He converted the penalty kick for his sixth goal of the season.

PLU tied the contest when Augustin passed into Andy Hyres, who one-touched a pass across to a wide-open Zaccagnini. His blast from the left side of the box into a wide-open net tied the match in the 75th minute and the Lutes seemed to have gained total momentum of the match.

But just over two minutes later Justin Meyer gained possession deep in PLU territory and forced the Lute defender to kick the ball over the end line. Bushey's corner kick was headed in by Nic Shaw late in the 77th minute to put the Pirates back on top. It was Shaw's first goal of the year.

Whitworth would end up going a man down in the 84th minute when Travis Gutierrez picked up his second yellow card of the match. However, Whitworth was able to take advantage of a breakaway opportunity seconds later. Meyer was fouled just outside the box and a red card was assessed to PLU's Brennan Hall. Bushey took the free kick and perfectly placed his shot between the Lutes' wall of defenders and inside the far post, giving the Pirates their final tally of the game in the game. It was Bushey's first goal of the year.

PLU finished with a 20-14 edge in total shots, however, shots on goal were equal at 7-7. Sherpe made four saves for Whitworth, while Kostol made three stops for the Lutes. Whitworth had a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.

The next action for PLU comes Sunday afternoon when they play the Whitman Missionaries in Walla Walla. 

(Courtesy of Whitworth Sports Information Office.)