SALEM, Ore. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer squad extended its shutout streak to 572 minutes on Sunday, padding its lead atop the Northwest Conference standings with a 1-0 win over host Willamette University at Sparks Field.
 
The Lutes (9-2, 6-0 NWC) and Bearcats (6-3, 4-2 NWC) battled to a stalemate in the opening 58 minutes of play before Cole Dobson found the back of the net off a corner kick from Craig Johnson in what proved to be the lone goal of the day.
 
Nicholas Gaston collected the clean sheet in goal, making four saves in 90 minutes of work. Gaston and the defense have yet to allow a goal in NWC play, while as a team the Lutes have outscored league foes by a 22-0 margin.

"The guys were very locked in this weekend. They were here with purpose and I could not be more proud of how hard they fought against two very difficult opponents," said Head Coach John Yorke. 

"Willamette was very good today. There were some real challenges in today's game that we had to overcome and the players gave such great mental and physical effort to get the result. These are the type of games you have to be able to find results in in order to compete for chances to win championships."

Sunday's win cemented the Lutes status atop the standings, now owning a two-game lead on the rest of the conference heading into the midpoint of the NWC slate.
 
PLU is back in action on Friday, hosting crosstown rival University of Puget Sound under the lights at East Field. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.