TACOMA, Wash. – Less than 24 hours after taking down the No. 8 team in the country, the Pacific Lutheran men's soccer team made sure there would be no upsets Sunday.
The Lutes rolled past Linfield 4-0 at East Field in Northwest Conference action a day after an emotional win against No. 8 Willamette.
"Both teams have their reps, but we knew what we had to do and knew what the standings look like," senior Keeton Heggerness said. "We put four past them, which helps our goal differential.
"We got it done today and I'm really proud of the guys."
The win combined with Willamette's draw Sunday at Puget Sound and Mary Hardin-Baylor's loss Saturday means the Lutes (16-3 overall, 10-3 NWC) may jump to the top of the heap in the NCAA regional rankings, which help decide who advances to the national tournament.
"You always worry the next day after an emotional win," PLU coach John Yorke said; "Jumping on the scoreboard early and getting a couple of goals in the first part of the game definitely helps a lot and made the game more comfortable."
The win gives the Lutes 16 on the season and the goals give them 60, both of which are program records for one season.
The onslaught started just 95 seconds into the game when senior Cris Lozano scored off an assist by fellow senior Ryan Griffith.
Heggerness doubled the lead in the 17th minute off a pass from Trevor Thompson.
"I knew the ball came out wide, so I stayed inside and I just kind of took a touch and saw a defender closing," Heggerness said. "I knew I had a second to shoot and I roped it and it worked out today."
Craig Johnson made it 3-0 in the 24th minute off an assist by Griffith and he closed the scoring in the 77th on another assist from Griffith and one from James Del Carmen.
The Lutes dominated throughout the game, out-shooting the Wildcats 28-7 including 19-4 on goal.
PLU honored 12 seniors before the match and found a way to get each of them into the game as well.
"I have so much respect for the guys who do four years in the program; it is a hard thing to do, especially the guys who maybe don't get to play as much as they'd like to," Yorke said. "It's a small gesture of a big thank you for getting guys in the game like this and I think our whole team appreciates it and we recognize the contributions they make."
The group included Pablo Alvarado and Hayden Bentzel coming on late for the first time in their careers. Keepers Cooper Erickson and Gabriel Arcas also made their Lutes debuts in their final home game, with each making a save.
The rest of the seniors honored Sunday were Griffith, Heggerness, Lozano, Vinny D'Onofrio, Robby Guyer, Jon Tolo, Archie Caldwell and the injured Dane Helle.
"I've had a good four years here full of success," Heggerness said. "To close out my home career on a high note means a lot to the team and the coaches. I think all of the seniors got what they deserved today with that. It was a good win."
Nicholas Gaston made two saves in goal to earn the victory for the Lutes, who wrap up the regular season at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Puget Sound.
