Box Score Contact: Mark Albanese, Director of Sports Communication
SALEM, Ore. - The 17th-ranked Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team remains perched atop the Northwest Conference standings after collecting its eighth shutout of the season on Sunday, earning a 2-0 victory at the expense of Willamette University at Sparks Field.
The visiting Lutes (8-0-2, 5-0-1 NWC) dominated the game statistically but weren't able to punch a goal through until the 60th minute with Machaela Graddy scoring on a header from a feed from Kelly White, for her second score of 2016. Lauren Larson doubled PLU's advantage 10 minutes later, scoring a header in the 70th minute off a pass from Lena Moreno in what proved to be the final goal of the afternoon as the Lutes' rolled to their third straight shutout win.
Pacific Lutheran owned a 25-7 edge in shots, including outgunning the Bearcats (4-5-1, 1-4-1 NWC) by an 11-1 margin in shots on target.
"Another good performance today against Willamette," said Head Coach Seth Spidahl. "I'm very happy with the team, we played really well on a Sunday. We stuck to the process and kept doing what we're supposed to be doing. We trust the process and if we give it enough time we've found those goals. She didn't score but Kaylie Rozell was a force up front and Megan Anderson had a great game defensively."
Takara Mitsui made one save for her eighth clean sheet of 2016, playing all 90 minutes in goal. Willamette's Emily Sewall and Kristen Barclay each played a half in goal, combining for nine saves in the losing effort.
"We're always happy with a 2-0 win on the road and we're really excited for Wednesday's test."
The Lutes close out their five game road swing on Wednesday afternoon, making the short trek across town for the Battle of the South Sound against NWC co-leaders University of Puget Sound. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.
