Box Score Written by Student Assistant Jake Bilyeu
TACOMA, Wash. – The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team wrapped up its season on Saturday with a tough 2-1 setback against Northwest Conference rival University of Puget Sound.
The Lutes (10-8-2, 7-6-1 NWC) jumped out to an early lead despite missing several members of the team, as Chris Trussel scored in the ninth minute off a blocked ball. The Loggers (11-5-2, 8-4-2 NWC) evened things up near halftime, as Dane Schatz tapped in a goal in the 41st minute.
The Loggers then took control in the middle of the second half, as Josh Sonico beat a Lute defender and put the ball in the back of the net to give the Loggers a 2-1 lead. The Loggers hung on from there, holding the Lutes to just one shot in the second half en route to a win.
"The group we had out there today was inexperienced, but they stepped up tremendously," head coach John Yorke said. "We had a chance to go up 2-0 early in the game, and I'm really proud of how our guys played today."
Chris Trussel and Jackson Moore led the way for plenty of Lutes that'll be seeing more on-the-field action in the coming years.
"If they carry over their great energy and effort from today, we should have a great offseason," Yorke said. "Although we were disappointed in the result today, we were excited by the team's performance."
Saturday's game wrapped up a year of growth for the Lutes, while the team may not have reached their full potential, they showed that they'll be ready to contend again when next year comes.
"We're not overly excited about how this season turned out, but we knew it would be a growing year," Yorke said. "We're unhappy with our results, but very happy with our growth."
However, Yorke and his team will have to bid farewell their seniors, who saw final opportunity to give it their all in a Lute uniform.
"I would like to thank our seniors for their contributions to our program," Yorke said. "It's tough to see them go."
