TACOMA, WASH. --- The Pacific Lutheran Men's Soccer team travelled across town to take on the Puget Sound Loggers and came away with a commanding 6-2 victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The two squads came out of the gates with energy, each firing shots in the first five minutes of the match. In the seventh minute, senior goalkeeper Nicholas Gaston made his first saved of the day on a UPS shot. But the 10^th minute didn't go as well for Gaston, as the Loggers scored the opening goal and took a 1-0 lead.
 
But six minutes later, the Lutes offense made a push and senior striker Craig Johnson took one shot that was blocked by the Loggers keeper until the rebound found the feet of Johnson, where he would them score the equalizer.
 
In the 24^th minute, the Lute kept the pressure on with a cross from senior Kelly Brandt that found a wide open Robby Guyer on the far post; Guyer would execute the open look, putting the Lutes up 2-1.
 
The Lutes lead wouldn't last long, as the Loggers tied the match for a second time in the 32^nd minute, just after the UPS team was issued a yellow card.
 
Although consecutive shots by senior Trevor Thompson were unsuccessful, the Lutes remained tied with the Loggers after the first 45 minutes of the match; 2-2.
 
The Lutes outshot the Loggers in the first half, 7-4, while Gaston made one save to the Loggers three. Each squad took one corner kick each in the first half.
 
The second half is when the Lutes offense broke open following a back-and-forth start to the half. In the 61^st minute, Johnson was fouled inside the box, earning a penalty kick. And just as Johnson usually does, he executed and put the Lutes on top 3-2.
 
Just minutes later, Thompson found Brandt free from the Loggers defense, which extended the Lutes lead to two. Shortly after, Guyer made a crucial steal in the offensive zone, where he would beat the Loggers keeper in a one-on-one; adding to the Lutes lead, 5-2.
 
Thompson would later get a goal of his own in the 77^th minute on a strike in the lower right corner of the Loggers goal. The Lutes took a 6-2 lead and would hold this lead for the final 10 minutes as they defeated the Loggers 6-2 on the road.
 
INSIDE THE STATS
 
The Lutes domination in the second half lead to the Lutes outshooting the Loggers, 20-5 overall. Thompsons one goal came on a team-leading five shots. Just behind, Guyer took four shots on his two goals. And Johnson also scored two goals on four shots. Thompson and Brandt were credited with one assist each. Gaston made two saves in the contest.
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
 
The Lutes Men's Soccer team will prepare for their first home match in two weeks as they take on the Willamette Bearcats on East Field at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 8^th.
 
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