Contact: Mark Albanese, Director of Sports Communication

TACOMA, Wash. - Seizing a three-goal advantage just 16 minutes into the game was more than enough for the 23rd-ranked Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team to secure the victory on Saturday, blanking Pacific University 4-0 in a Northwest Conference showdown at East Field.

Machaela Graddy opened the scoring just five minutes into the game, finding the back of the net off a cross from Megan Anderson while a Kelly White free kick made it 2-0 less than two minutes later. PLU (13-0-4, 10-0-3 NWC) was reduced to 10 players with a red card booking in the 10th minute but the homestanding Lutes were unfazed with Kaylie Rozell making it 3-0 in the 16th minute off a helper from Graddy.

Pacific Lutheran padded its advantage 11 minutes into the second stanza with Leah Magee scoring in the 56th minute off an assist from Liz Griffith to conclude the scoring.

"It was a strange game today," said Head Coach Seth Spidahl. "Going down a player early was something we haven't had to deal with before. I was so proud how the team responded, they buckled down and did what they needed to do to score two more and make it 4-0. We challenged ourselves as a group to keep a shutout even though we were a player down. The back four and Takara were outstanding. They found a way to stick to the game plan." 

Takara Mitsui collected her 14th clean sheet of the season, making four saves in 90 minutes of work. Her counterpart, Kailey Hifumi tallied four saves and surrendered four goals in goal for the Boxers (6-7-4, 4-6-3 NWC).

"I'm really proud of the team. In any journey you have these unexpected tests and you have to adjust on the fly and we passed with flying colors. We had some exciting stuff offensively and we're excited to celebrate our seniors tomorrow and finish out the weekend."

The Lutes continue their homestand on Sunday, welcoming Willamette University to East Field. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. with the program's six seniors to be honored in a pregame ceremony.