TACOMA, WASH. --- The Pacific Lutheran Men's Soccer team was handed their first Northwest Conference loss by the Willamette Bearcats 2-1 on Saturday.
 
The Lutes (14-2-4, 13-1-2 NWC) trailed early in the match, as the Bearcats rebounded and scored after a shot that was saved by senior goalkeeper Nicholas Gaston, to take a 1-0 lead just nine minutes into the match.
 
In a very physical game, the Lutes were able to take numerous shots at the Bearcats goal, but just three of 12 total shots were on goal. With a 1-0 lead at the half, the Bearcats also had the lone yellow card issued in the first half.
 
The second half was just as physical, with five total yellow cards being issued in the final 45 minutes; two of which were on senior Dane Helle and freshman Alvin Kamau.
 
The Lutes took more shots in the second half, but a higher percentage of the Bearcats shots were eon goal, forcing Gaston to make save after save to keep the Lutes comeback hopes alive.
 
In the 73^rd minute, the Lutes were able to break through with a goal scored by junior forward Trevor Thompson, assisted by Robby Guyer and Connor O'Brien. Thompson's goal leveled the game, but also forced both offenses to become more aggressive. Following a Kamau yellow card in the 81^st minute, the Bearcats took the lead once again in the 84^th minute.
 
The final six minutes were a fight to get scoring opportunities for the Lutes, but in the closing seconds of the match, the Lutes earned a corner kick. Sammy Tafolla sent the kick over the box and found the head of freshman Owen Bliskis on the far post, Bliskis's header hit the upper crossbar and was sent away by the Bearcats.
 
The Lutes once again surpassed 20 total shots in the game with 26, doubling the Bearcats total of 13; but only seven of the PLU shots were on-target. Gaston made a total of three saves on five shots on goal faced. Thompson lead the Lutes in shot attempts with nine, with three on-target. Senior Craig Johnson was close behind with six total, one of which being on-target.
 
With a 13-1-2 record in the Northwest Conference, the Lutes tied Head Coach John Yorke's lowest number of losses in a  conference season, while setting a new record of 13 total wins in conference play. A final record of 14-2-4 in the regular season, puts the Lutes in second for best winning percentage under Coach Yorke (80%); just behind the 2022 season record of 81.8%.
 
The Lutes will find out their NCAA Tournament opponent and host-site on Monday at 11 a.m. inside Olson Lobby.
 
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