by Samantha Lund, Sports Information Student Assistant

PARKLAND - The Pacific Lutheran men's soccer team fell 1-0 to the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs Sunday afternoon, marking the Lutes' third consecutive match without scoring.

The Lutes, now 1-3, came out strong in the first half but the Slugs defense stood up against the Lutes to improve UCSC to a 3-1-1 record.

After a scoreless first half, the Banana Slugs came back fighting in the second. UCSC's Brock Koayashi, unassisted, made the only goal of the game in the 49th minute of play from less than 10 yards away. UCSC's offense outmatched PLU's with 12 shots to PLU's nine and three shots on goal to PLU's one. PLU keeper Mike Arguello made two saves in his 90 minutes of play. Arguello's second save was particularly impressive; he was barely able to tip the ball over the goal to save the Lutes from being down 2-0 to the Slugs. UCSC keeper David Vivian made three saves during his 90 minutes.

The Lutes' Rigoberto Loreto, Jordan Downing and Troy-Mikal Oliger each had a shot on goal. The Lutes return to the field Friday and Saturday to finish their nonconference with games against Trinity Lutheran and Hamline.