TACOMA, Wash. – The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team finally opened the home slate this spring and it did not disappoint, dominating the Pirates of Whitworth University 2-0 for the squad's fourth-straight victory and third-straight shutout. 
 
"I was happy with our performance today," said PLU Head Coach John Yorke.  "There are always areas where we can improve, but I thought this was a very good performance.  Over these last couple of weeks we are starting to execute in some areas that we struggled on earlier in the season."
 
Archie Caldwell opened the scoring on the afternoon, when he knocked in a loose ball from a Dane Helle corner kick.  The first half was very even as PLU attempted eight shots to Whitworth's six.  Both team's keepers made three saves apiece, while the Pirates had a narrow 5-3 edge in corner kicks. 
 
The Lutes (5-2, 5-2 NWC) dominated the second half, blasting 12 shots to Whitworth's three and placing five on net to the Pirates' none.  Helle put the game away for the home team in the 69^th minute when he took a pass from Robby Guyer in the front of the net and put it home. 
 
"There were some great individual performances today that really boosted our overall team performance," said Yorke.  "I thought our attacking players were very unselfish today in the roles we asked them to be attentive to and really set the tone for our team."
 
At 5-2 in the Northwest Conference, the Lutes are still three points ahead of Whitman College and eight points ahead of University of Puget Sound and Whitworth, who are tied third. 
 
With the victory, PLU leads the season series 2-1 and will look to win the series tomorrow when the two squads meet for the fourth and final time at 1:30 p.m.