SALEM, Ore. - The 20th-ranked Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team collected its 10th consecutive win on Sunday afternoon, dominating host Willamette University 3-0 in a Northwest Conference clash at Sparks Field. 
 
With 10 straight wins to open the 2021 season, the Lutes (10-0, 6-0 NWC) are off to their best start since the 1988 campaign, a year PLU won 12 in a row to start a season that ended with an NAIA National title.
 
Alyssa Jordan came off the bench and got the Lutes on the board in the 32nd minute, scoring off a pass from Ellie Reardon. It was Jordan's third goal of the season as PLU enjoyed a 1-0 edge at the halftime break, outshooting the host Bearcats (3-7, 2-4 NWC) 12-1, including a 5-1 advantage in shots on goal.
 
Hannah Cecil was the star of the second half, padding the Lute lead with an unassisted goal in the 49th minute and another in the 58th minute with Vera Panescu-Reich providing the assist. The goals were number four and five on the season for Cecil who leads the Lutes in goals through the opening 10 games of the fall.

"We're very happy to get two wins. I think the challenge for this weekend was we were already here last weekend, so to come down to Oregon two weeks in a row, how do we keep mentally sharp," said Head Coach Seth Spidahl.
 
"Today I was really proud of the players. Willamette is a very physical team and we got off to a slow start but we got better and better as the game went on and we found a way to get some goals in."

Calie Rose registered her first career start in goal, playing all 90 minutes and making two saves for the clean sheet. The Lute defense has allowed just one goal in six NWC matches, including a current streak of 304 minutes without allowing a goal. 
 
Pacific Lutheran accounted for 19 of the 21 shots taken in the game, including eight of the 10 shots on target. 
 
It's a short week for the Lutes who will return to action on Wednesday with a showdown on the road with crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.

"We're looking ahead to another big week, it doesn't get any easier. We have UPS, which is having an amazing season on Wednesday, and then George Fox on Saturday. As usual, the NWC is always hard but I like where we're at and we're excited for the challenges this week."