Pacific Lutheran knocked off cross-town rival Puget Sound, 3-0, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match played Sunday afternoon at the PLU soccer field.

The victory by the Lutes (6-5-1 overall), partnered with a loss suffered by Whitworth to Whitman on Saturday, caused PLU to rise above Whitworth into the number two spot in the conference standings. The NWC is currently led by Pacific, which has tallied 16 points with its 5-1-1 conference record this year. PLU, 5-2-0 in the NWC, follows with 15 points, and Whitworth at 4-2-1 NWC owns 13 points.

Frosh midfielder Giancarlo Santoro scored PLU's only first-half goal in the 13th minute after quickly maneuvering between defenders and lacing a well-placed ball past Puget Sound keeper Chris McDonald and into the back of the net. It was his second goal of the season.

Santoro's goal was the only thing separating the Lutes and Loggers until the 88th minute when junior forward Chad Kearns knocked a screamer past UPS goalkeeper Chris McDonald. Kearns, who leads the Northwest Conference with 12 goals, was set up in the open by a pass from junior Spencer Augustin.

Then with 23 seconds left in the game, Santoro penetrated the box and was fouled, giving the Lutes a penalty kick. Senior Daniele Zaccagnini finessed the ball into the net on the kick, adding the final insurance goal, his sixth this season.

Frosh keeper Joe Rayburn earned his third shutout of the season while making four saves.

PLU outshot UPS 12-5, with seven of the Lutes' shots coming in the second half. PLU also had the edge in corner kicks, 9-3. Puget Sound had good stretches of possession, particularly in the second half, but was unable to break down the PLU defense once it got into the attacking third of the field.

The Lutes return to action when they host Whitworth on Saturday, Oct. 16, and Whitman on Sunday, Oct. 17, in Northwest Conference matches that start at 2:30 p.m. 

- PLU -