TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team's six game win streak morphed into a seven game unbeaten run on Sunday afternoon, playing the final 30 minutes with 10 men to secure a 2-2 double overtime draw against Whitman College at East Field.
"Today was a very difficult game to play against a tough team after a hard fought game yesterday," said Head Coach
John Yorke. "Whitman is good and played with a lot of energy and effort. I was proud of our guys for our fight and our ability to overcome some obstacles in the game."
The Lutes' (12-4-1, 8-2-1 Northwest Conference)
Rainier Schlekewey opened the scoring with a goal in the 26th minute off a feed from
Joe Sammartino but the visiting Blues (7-6-2, 6-3-2 NWC) leveled the score just before halftime with Oscar Harding netting a goal in the 43rd minute.
Archie Caldwell tipped the scales back in PLU's favor in the 61st minute, giving the Lutes the lead with a header goal off a pass from
Spencer Hokama. Whitman would once again counter with Peter Stephens converting a penalty kick in the 87th minute to send the game into overtime.
Neither team was able to muster a goal in the two 10-minute overtime sessions as the squad's settled for the draw.
Whitman finished with a 13-9 edge in shots, including a 7-4 advantage in shots on frame.
RJ Noll made five saves for the Lutes in goal while Whitman keeper Owen Davis-Bower made two stops.
"We're in the position that every team wants to be in right now at the end of the season. We control our own destiny so we're excited for the next couple of weeks."
The Lutes are back on the pitch on Saturday, heading to Oregon to face Linfield College.
