SALEM, Ore. - Joe Sammartino netted the equalizer in the 81st minute as the Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team preserved its position atop the Northwest Conference standings with a 1-1 double overtime draw against host Willamette University on Sunday.

Neither team was able to muster a goal in the opening 69 minutes of play. The homestanding Bearcats (11-3-4, 8-2-3 NWC) drew first blood in the 70th minute with Adhre Sparks finding the back of the net for the 1-0 lead. Willamette's lead proved fleeting with PLU's (13-4-2, 9-2-2 NWC) Joe Sammartino tallying his team-leading ninth goal of the year just 11 minutes later to level the score.

The score remained tied at the end of regulation. Two 10-minute overtimes failed to generate any more goals as the team's settled for the 1-1 draw. Little separated the two on the stat sheet with PLU owning a slim 20-19 advantage in shots with shots on goal tied 7-7.

Lute keeper RJ Noll finished with five saves on the day while his counterpart, Mason Kelliher, collecting six stops.

"As usual, I'm really proud of these guys for the warrior mentality they bring each weekend," said Head Coach John Yorke. "Obviously we were really hoping to get the win today but with the tie we're right where every team wants to be heading into the last regular season game. We control our own destiny so we're going to focus on having a great week of training and do our best to have a great performance next weekend."

PLU, unbeaten in its last nine games (7-0-2), close out the season on Saturday, hosting the University of Puget Sound at East Field. A Lute victory would guarantee the program's second straight NWC crown while a tie would ensure at least a share of the Lutes' second straight.