Written by Student Assistant Jake Bilyeu
NEWBERG, Ore. – The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team began Northwest Conference play with a stellar performance on Saturday, defeating George Fox University 4-1 at the Austin Sports Complex in the first of a two-game road trip in Oregon.
The Lutes (4-2-1, 1-0 NWC) put the pressure on the Bruins (0-5-1, 0-1 NWC) early and often in the first half, outshooting the hosts 11-3. Diego Aceves struck first for the Lutes in the 20th minute, scoring off a pass from Eddie Na as two of the team's most prolific scorers connected to give the Lutes the game's first lead. Na added a goal of his own seventeen minutes later off a Bennett Bugbee pass to put the Lutes up 2-0. The Bruins scored their lone goal just a few minutes later when Victor Garcia scored to cut into the Lute lead to one before halftime.
The score remained 2-1 until midway through the second half, when Jackson Moore scored a header off a corner kick, as Bennett Bugbee found Diego Aceves who dished to Moore for the score, putting the Lutes up 3-1 with 15 minutes to play. Bugbee notched his third assist of the game three minutes later, as Clint Absher sealed the deal and put the Lutes up 4-1 with his third goal of the season.
"We played a great game today, and the things we have been working on were performed very well today," head coach John Yorke said. "We created a lot of good chances and defended well."
Yorke was impressed with the entire team's performance, but one player in particular stood out by getting his teammates into the highlights.
"We had a great team effort, but I thought Bennett Bugbee had a special game today," Yorke said. "His three assists really got us going in our attack."
As for the Lutes' next foe, Yorke knows that his team needs to prepare for an extra challenge.
"Tomorrow will be a very difficult game. Pacific is a good team and doesn't give up a lot of goals," Yorke said. "We will have to be very patient and committed to what we are wanting to do tomorrow in order to have success."
The Lutes take the field to face Pacific University at 2:30 Sunday afternoon in Forest Grove, Oregon, with hopes to sweep their first conference weekend.
