MILWAUKEE - Joe Sammartino helped lead the Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team to a 2-0 win at Wisconsin Lutheran University to open the 2018 season.

"Tonight was a typical opening season game.  Hard fought and not always clean on the ball, but the team had a great effort and competitive sprit," head coach John Yorke said.  "Joe and the rest of our seniors really stepped up and willed that victory against a good Wisconsin Lutheran team."

The Lutes headed into the second half down 0-1 to the Warriors, but Holton Halfaker tied it up in the 50th minute off a pass from Sammartino.  The Lutes continued to pressure and Sammartino added his own goal in the 84th minute to secure the 2-1 win.

"Our team showed a lot of character being down 1-0 early in the first half and bouncing back by staying true to who we are as a team," Sammartino said.  "The team was really positive and there was never a doubt from anyone that we were going to lose the game"

"Joe has really been asked to step up and fill some leadership roles both on and off the field for us this season," Yorke added. "Tonight he really stepped up when we needed someone to have a big moment in the game. Credit to all of our guys and especially our senior class for stepping up and being big time in the big moments."

Cole Weaver and RJ Noll split time in goal, with Noll making two saves while Wisconsin Lutheran's Erek Lehnan made three saves and allowed two goals.

"A few guys that really did some things that got us the win, but that won't show up in the stats were Spencer Hokama,  Chris Trussel, and EJ Hurt who came in and closed the game out for us extremely well."

PLU is back on the pitch tomorrow continuing their opening road trip against the Milwaukee School of Engineering at 1:30 p.m.