TACOMA, Wash. – The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team has clinched its fourth consecutive Northwest Conference title and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament with today's 4-0 victory over George Fox University.
It is the fourth time the Lutes have qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament, each time coming under the direction of six-time NWC Coach of the Year
John Yorke. It is the fifth league crown under Yorke, with the first coming in 2011.
Today's game was decided early as
Cris Lozano continued his incredible stretch of play with his fifth goal in the last six matches after just six minutes of action on a nice pass by
Keeton Heggerness. After halftime,
Cole Dobson scored his second goal in as many days when he headed in a corner kick off the foot of
Craig Johnson.
The Lute seniors poured it on in their final 20 minutes of action at East Field.
Jared Simarago scored his first career goal on an incredible run up the left sideline.
Archie Caldwell assisted on the play. In the 81
st minute,
Keegan Dolan added his first career tally when he scored on a penalty kick.
It was a dominant performance by the Lutes, who outshot the Bruins 15-5 and 8-1 in shots on goal. Nick Gaston made a save and
Lucas Hempen did not face a shot on goal as the duo combined for the Lutes 14
th shutout of the season and fifth in a row.
The Lutes close the regular season next Saturday when they head north to take on archrival University of Puget Sound at 2:30 p.m. With a victory over the Loggers, the Lutes will tie the single-season win total of 15, set in 2015 and 2011 and also tie the school record for conference wins in a season with 12, set in 2011.
PLU will learn its fate in the 2021 NCAA Tournament on November 8 during the NCAA Selection Show.
