By Jake Bilyeu, PLU Sports Information Student Writer

SALEM – The Pacific Lutheran men's soccer team kicked off the second half of Northwest Conference play Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 win road win over Willamette.

Less than two weeks after Willamette defeated the Lutes 1-0 in Parkland, PLU returned the favor with the win on Saturday to improve to 10-4 overall and 6-4 in conference play. That extended PLU's run of double-digit win seasons to a program-record seven in a row.

"The team is playing very well and with purpose right now," PLU head coach John Yorke said. "Willamette is a good team and it is difficult to win there, so I was really proud of our efforts."

Both teams played a physical game last time they met. This game was no different, as seven yellow cards were handed out in total, three to the Lutes, and four to Willamette. The teams also combined for 31 fouls.

Also similar to the first meeting, the first goal of the day was not scored until the 73rd minute of play. The Lutes found the back of the net first when Bennett Bugbee scored his fourth goal of the season, this one off of a blocked shot from Jordan Downing to give the Lutes the 1-0 lead.

PLU didn't waste much time extending the lead as KC Phillips stole the ball from a Willamette player and immediately dropped it into the goal, giving the Lutes a 2-0 lead that would be more than enough.

"We were very intent on getting the job done today," Yorke said. "Jordan came in and did a great job creating the first goal, and KC getting his first of the year was really important."

The team now turns its attention to Linfield, a team that the Lutes managed to beat on a last-second penalty kick two weeks ago in Parkland. PLU remains tied with cross-town rival Puget Sound for second place in the NWC standings, four points behind conference leader Whitworth.