SPOKANE, WASH. --- The Pacific Lutheran Women's Soccer team travelled to Eastern Washington to face the Whitworth Pirates, coming away with a narrow 3-2 victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The first shot of the day for either team came from PLU senior Lily Dose, who found the back of the net in the 12^th minute. Senior Alyssa Leong tried to add to the Lutes lead multiple times on Lute corner kicks, but was unsuccessful.
 
The Lutes offense applied the pressure throughout the remainder of the first half by stacking shots. One of which from junior Kayden Hulquist was rejected by the crossbar. The Lutes took eight total shots in the first half and allowed just one from the Pirates.
 
The second half, Whitworth's offense began to come alive with a shot in the first minute of the half, but was saved by sophomore goalkeeper Abby Winkler. Just minutes later, the Pirates leveled the game at 1-1 with a shot beating Winkler.
 
The Lutes offense responded immediately in the 59^th minute when junior Julia Causbie beat the Pirates keeper the give the Lutes a lead once again; 2-1.
 
Just three minutes later, senior Alyssa Leong extended the PLU lead with a goal off of the pass from Hannah Cecil.
 
With a 3-1 lead, the Lutes defense neutralized the Pirates comeback, aside from a late 81^st minute goal to put the Pirates within one. PLU would go on to win the game and improve their win streak to seven.
 
INSIDE THE STATS
 
The Lutes outshot the Pirates in the game, 14-9, but the Pirates had one more shot on goal than the Lutes. In corner kicks, the Lutes had seven to Whitman's three.
 
Leong took the most shots for the Lutes with four, but just one was on target to score her lone goal of the day. Causbie continued her offensive success with one goal on three total shots. Winkler made three saves in the contest. Cecil earned the lone assist for the Lutes in the game.

FROM COACH SPIDAHL

"It was a passionate and intense game today. We had a really good first half once we got going. It was unlucky to have a couple of those goals against there. Second half was sort of weird how they tied it up, uncharacteristic of our team but the response we had was awesome. Alyssa's goal was one of the best goals we've had all year. It was really great to see us respond. It's just part of the journey, you're going to have games that don't go the way you thought they would go, but I am proud of the team for their performance. We've got to keep focused, and we're excited for tomorrow. Go Lutes!"
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
 
The Lutes will travel south to Walla, Walla, Wash. to face the Whitman Blues at 12 p.m. on Sunday.
 
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