By Jake Bilyeu, PLU Sports Information Student Writer

PARKLAND – The Pacific Lutheran men's soccer team got back on the winning track in Northwest Conference play Saturday afternoon, staving off a late run from Linfield to win with a penalty kick goal in the final minute of regulation to claim a 3-2 home victory.

PLU and Linfield played to a scoreless halftime, as both defenses limited their opponent's opportunities. PLU's offense broke free early in the second half, though, as a Bennett Bugbee corner kick found its way to Todd Hoagland, who dished it to Joe Sammartino for the finish to give the Lutes the first lead of the game in the 52nd minute of play.

The Lutes had a couple good chances bounce back at them in the following minutes, until Suwilanji Silozi fired in a goal from 18 yards out to extend the Lute lead to 2-0 in the 64th minute of play.

A few minutes later, the match took a turn in Linfield's favor. Linfield drew a penalty kick in the 68th minute, and Brian DeGrandmont kicked it in for his fifth goal of the year to make it a one-score game. Just three minutes later it was all tied up again, as a free kick by Chris Palmer from midfield led to a Linfield goal by Rhys Lendio.

The Lutes forcefully sought to regain the lead, as they fired shot after shot past Linfield's defense. It wasn't until the final minute of regulation that the Lutes got back on top, as a penalty kick drawn by Sammartino and knocked in by Diego Aceves gave the Lutes the game winner with just 37 seconds remaining. PLU then held off one final run from Linfield to secure the win.

"Goals change games," PLU head coach John Yorke said after the victory. "The penalty got them flying, but we fought through that and showed real composure."

PLU built a 21-11 shot advantage and forced Linfield goalkeeper Jorge Rodriguez to make seven saves in the victory. The last-minute nature of the win emphasized the importance of every Northwest Conference win, as Yorke said that "these are the games that you must win to get a conference championship."

With multiple Golden Goal wins and a couple final-minute goals this season, the Lutes have built a confidence in their ability to compete to the final whistle.

"We just believed that we could fight back," Bugbee said of the late Lute rally. "Everyone on this team believes that we have the power and the mental strength to win."

The Lutes wrap up the weekend Sunday, as they take on Willamette at 2:30 p.m.