By Jake Bilyeu, PLU Sports Information Student Writer

PARKLAND – The Pacific Lutheran men's soccer team finished up its third weekend of Northwest Conference play Sunday afternoon with a 1-0 home loss to Willamette.

For the second straight match, PLU played a match that remained scoreless at the half. While Saturday's second half featured five goals, the Bearcats found the net in the 73rd minute of play with the game-winner in the 1-0 match.

While the Lutes still largely controlled the pace of play, outshooting Willamette 17-10 for the contest, the team couldn't get into an effective rhythm.

"We went away from what we do well today," PLU head coach John Yorke said. "Willamette played a physical game, and it took us out of ours."

This proved to be the Lutes' downfall, as Willamette was able to strike late in the second half. After a long throw in by Willamette's Julian Hanlon-Austin, Yazan Hishmeh put in his second goal of the season from 18 yards out.

Diego Aceves led PLU with six shot attempts, including two on goal, as the Lutes forced Willamette goalkeeper Braydon Calder to make five saves.

The loss drops PLU to third in the Northwest Conference standings with a record of 4-2, 8-4 overall. The team that now stands in the way at second place is none other than PLU's next opponent and rival, Puget Sound, which pushed its record to 5-1 after wins against Willamette and Linfield over the weekend.

"We can bounce back, and we'll be okay," Yorke said. "Our guys are excited to play UPS."

The Lutes visit UPS in a cross-town rivalry matchup Oct. 10 at 2:30 p.m.