MCMINNVILLE, Ore. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer squad received goals from three different players on Saturday afternoon, erasing an early deficit and collecting a 3-1 victory over Northwest Conference rival Linfield College.
 
The host Wildcats (5-8-3, 3-6-3 NWC) found the back of the net in the 13th minute to stake and early and ultimately short lived lead. Archie Caldwell equalized the score, netting the game at 1-1 in the 22nd minute off an assist from Joe Sammartino. EJ Hurt gave the Lutes (13-4-1, 9-2-1 NWC) the lead in the 36th minute, finding the bottom right hand corner of the goal off a feed from Spencer Hokama.
 
"It was a good response early (by Caldwell). We had a good start to the game so when we took the goal we were confident in how we were playing but it definitely was good for our confidence to find the first one relatively soon after theirs and EJ's goal really lifted the team," said Head Coach John Yorke. 
 
PLU iced the game in the 77th minute with Sammartino scoring off a pass from Derek Stone for the final 3-1 scoreline.
 
"We didn't have a great second half offensively but we defended well and found a good goal by Joe that locked up the game. I'm proud of the guys for their continued efforts and competitive mentality in this run we've been on."
 
PLU outshot the Wildcats 8-5 in the opening half but was out-gunned 12-3 in the second 45 minutes. RJ Noll made six saves to earn the win in goal for the Lutes while Nick Van Kleek made two saves and conceded three goals on the day.
 
The Lutes, unbeaten in their last eight games (7-0-1), close out the road swing tomorrow at 12 p.m. against host Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.