TACOMA, WASH. --- The Pacific Lutheran Men's Soccer team took over in the second half of their home match against the Bearcats of Willamette University, coming away with a 4-0 victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The first 45 minutes were consistently back-and-forth for both teams offensively. Each team traded shots early in the contest, but only one of the Lutes attempts were on target and were saved by the Bearcats keeper. The Bearcats then took three consecutive shots of their own in the 15^th minute, but each were off-target.
 
The 30^th minute brought more shots from each team, senior Dane Helle's attempted was saved by an impressive dive by the Bearcats keeper. Junior Trevor Thompson's attempt on a low corner shot was also saved by the keeper in diving fashion. Senior Brandt Kelly subbed into the game late in the half and had his attempt in the 42^nd minute deflect off the crossbar.
 
Neither team could find the back of the net through the first 45 minutes. The Lutes took 10 shots in the first half, four of which being on target. While the Bearcats took six shots, one of which was on-target and saved by senior goalkeeper Nicholas Gaston.
 
Both squads were aggressive in the second half, which lead to some late yellow cards being issued. But in the 49^th minute, junior Trevor Thompson broke the game open when his shot found the right corner of the goal, with assists coming from seniors Craig Johnson and Robby Guyer.
 
Just seven minutes later, Guyer weaved past the defenders and beat the keeper on a line drive shot to put the Lutes up 2-0. The Bearcats earned two yellow cards in a two-minute span in the 57^th and 59^th minutes.
 
But just minutes after subbing into the game, freshman Owen Bliskis was the recipient of a crossed pass from Johnson, putting the Lutes up 3-0. With the Bearcats trying to claw their way back into the game, Bliskis once again found himself in perfect position to score off of a cross from Guyer this time, scoring his second of the game and further extending the Lutes lead to 4-0.
 
The Lutes juniors Christian Pineda and Jordan Ross each picked up yellow cards midway through the 74^th and 76^th minutes due to overly aggressive tackles. Minutes later, another yellow was issued to the Bearcats for a rough tackle in the Lutes offensive zone but was rules just outside of the box.
 
The Bearcats looked to end Gaston and the Lutes clean sheet in the 83^rd minute after earning a penalty kick off of a foul on senior Alex White. But Gaston maintained his clean sheet when he blocked the Bearcats penalty kick in the low-left side of the goal.
 
The Lutes defense held tough the remainder of the game, and earning a 4-0 shutout on Sunday.
 
INSIDE THE STATS
 
With 18 shots as a team, six came from Thompson, and three of which were on target. Johnson didn't manage to find the back of the net this game, but rather spread his wealth with two assists in the match. Eight different Lutes took shots in the game, the most effiecient being Bliskis with two goals on two attempts.
 
Gaston earned the shutout, with the help of the tough Lutes defense, while also making three saves in the game.
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
 
The Lutes will travel east to take on Whitworth University and Whitman College on the road next Saturday, October 14^th, and Sunday, October 15^th at 2:30 p.m.
 
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