Written by Student Assistant Jake Bilyeu

FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team nearly finished up its first weekend of Northwest Conference play undefeated, seizing an early lead but was unable to hold on, falling 2-1 in overtime to host Pacific University on Sunday afternoon.

The Lutes (4-3-1, 1-1 NWC) scored first when Clint Absher beat the keeper one-on-one to put the Lutes up 1-0 in the 38th minute. The Boxers (4-3, 2-0 NWC) didn't wait long to respond, as Keola Norton scored off of a long pass in the 41st minute to even things up before the half.

After a scoreless second half, overtime came. In total, the team's remained even for just over 70 minutes before the Boxers took the game on a goal from Weli Alamillo in the 102nd minute.

"I said yesterday we had to be patient and committed to what we wanted to do and we were not either of those things today," head coach John Yorke said.  "After a very good first 25 minutes we gradually lost our commitment to the principles of play that bring us success."

Goalkeeper Cole Weaver made four saves in the losing effort while the Boxers' Leyton Thommasen got the win for his team with five saves. Both goalies played from start to finish.

"Although a lot of credit goes to Pacific for their good performance we were our own worst enemy today," Yorke said. "We will have to be more mature in our 90 minute approach next week if we want to get two wins against two tough opponents."

The Lutes look to rebound next weekend, hosting Whitman College on Saturday and Whitworth University on Sunday at East Field. Both games will start at 2:30 p.m.