SPOKANE, Wash. – Back at the top of the league standings, the Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team continued its push for the postseason on Saturday, blanking Whitworth University, 3-0, on its home field. 
 
"It's always nice to get three points on the road," said PLU Head Coach John Yorke.  "It's really becoming a four-team race down the stretch here for the conference ,so to pick up a win on the road is really big.  Our bench did a tremendous job today. Brandt (Kelly), Archie (Caldwell) and Sam (Erickson) all had points and they really provided a spark for us."
 
PLU (11-4, 8-2 NWC) struck early in what turned out to be the game-winner for visitors.  Keeton Heggerness played a through ball to junior Cris Lozano and Lozano had no problem beating the Whitworth keeper in the 10^th minute.  Lozano made it three straight matches with a goal and an assist in the second half when he crossed a ball to Brandt Kelly for his sixth goal of his sophomore campaign. 
 
"Cris is a really great player first of all," said Yorke.  "He is starting to get his game fitness after the late start to the season and really get a feel for how his teammates play the game.  That chemistry is really starting to show.  Goal scorers know how to score goals and it's always great to have a guy like Brandt to stick in there and know that he can find one at any time."
 
Sam Erickson finished off the Pirates in the 72^nd minute.  Archie Caldwell headed a corner kick over to Erickson, who tapped it in for the final goal of the afternoon. 
 
Statistically, the match was fairly even, with the Pirates holding a slim 13-10 advantage in shot attempts.  The Lutes were slightly more accurate, placing six shots on net to Whitworth's five.  Nicholas Gaston made five stops to earn the shutout between the pipes for PLU. 
 
The Lutes will head to Whitman for tomorrow's matchup with the Blues in Walla Walla.  Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.