TACOMA, Wash. – In a match that pitted the top two teams in the preseason Northwest Conference men's soccer rankings, Whitman College proved to be no match for the three-time defending NWC champion Pacific Lutheran as the Lutes easily defeated the Blues, 5-0. 

Before the home crowd could settle into their seats, the Lutes (6-2, 3-0 NWC) were already on the scoreboard.  A beautiful give and go by Keeton Heggerness and Cris Lozano provided the opening fireworks for PLU.  In the 27^th minute, Craig Johnson added his fifth goal of the season when he blasted a free kick into the back of the net.
 
PLU dominated the first half, outshooting the Blues 7-1. 
 
The Lutes remained in control for the rest of the match, but removed all doubt by scoring three goals in less than five minutes in the second half. 
 
Ryan Griffith crossed a beauty to the head of Archie Caldwell in the 74^th minute, Trevor Thompson scored on a loose ball in the 78^th and Joe Camp assisted on a Brandt Kelly goal less than a minute later and it was suddenly 5-0 in favor of the home team. 
 
The Blues forced Nicholas Gaston to make just one save in picking up the clean sheet.  In total, the Lutes played 26 players on the afternoon and were able to rest their legs in preparation for tomorrow's match against Whitworth University.  Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at East Field.
 
After three Northwest Conference matches, the Lutes are outscoring their opponents 13-0.