Box Score TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran men's soccer team struck first but was unable to keep pace with visiting Willamette University on Saturday afternoon, falling 3-1 in the Northwest Conference opener at East Field.

The Lutes (4-3, 0-1 NWC) started the game with a majority of the possession and Joe Sammartino earned the first goal of the conference slate for the Lutes off a beautiful shot in the eighth minute. 10 minutes later, the Bearcats (4-1-1, 1-0 NWC) equalized the Lutes with a nice shot off a miss-pass from the PLU defense. Willamette followed that with a second goal on an own goal.

Things looked up for the Lutes in the 26th minute when a yellow card gave Rainier Schlekewey a chance at a penalty kick. The penalty kick bounced off the post ending the first half with the Lutes down 2-1, tied with the Bearcats 6-6 in shots and saves from both goalkeepers.

Second half began quickly with the Bearcats and Lutes both still in the game. The third and final goal by the Bearcats solidified the game for them as the Lutes couldn't find a way to the net. Even though the Bearcats pulled the 3-1 win, the Lutes went eight shots to the Bearcats' nine shots in the full 90 minutes.

"It's only one loss and we are looking forward to tomorrow," said senior captain Joe Sammartino.

"We had a great start but when we made a mistake on the goal everything changed and we couldn't quite get ourselves back together," said John Yorke. "The encouraging part is how we started, so if we can maintain that we should be alright."

The Lutes return to action on Sunday, hosting Linfield College tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.