TACOMA, WASH. --- The Pacific Lutheran Women's Soccer team fell to the Blues of Whitman College on Sunday at home by a score of 2-1.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Coming off of a strong victory the day prior, the Lutes came out in the first half and fired three shots in the first twelve minutes. One from senior Alyssa Leong that was saved by the Blues keeper and then two more from senior Lily Dose that missed and senior Sawyer Anderson's hit off the cross bar. But it was the Blues who struck first in the game, with a goal in the 16^th minute.
 
The Lutes, who haven't spent much time trailing their opponents this season, started to get the offense going yet again as junior Hannah Cecil scored off of a pass from junior Julia Causbie in the 21^st minute. Cecil's goal tied the game at one a piece, and was also her third goal on the weekend.
 
From there, the defenses stepped up and held each other scoreless for the remainder of the half.
 
Freshman Lyla Merte fired a shot in the first five minutes of the second half that hit off the cross bar. Two more shots come immediately after from Leong and Anderson, but both missed outside. The Blues regained the lead in the 54^th minute, beating sophomore goalkeeper Abby Winkler, and giving the Blues a 2-1 lead.
 
Cecil tried to keep her scoring streak alive with a shot minutes later but was saved by the keeper. Later in the game, consecutive shots by senior Joelle Buck were blocked by the Blues defense and a last minute effort from sophomore Olivia Boehm missed out left. The Blues took down the Lutes by a score of 2-1
 
INSIDE THE STATS
 
Leong, Anderson, Buck, and Merte lead the Lutes with three shots each. Leong had two on goal but both were saved. Cecil scored the lone goal for the Lutes in the contest while having two shots on goal. The Lute keeper Winkler made two saves while allowing two goals.

FROM HEAD COACH SETH SPIDAHL

"Tough result for us today, tough outcome. Credit ot Whitman, they played and defended really well and made the most of their chances. They're always a tough opponent for us, home or away. We just didn't play our best today. We had many shots and corner kicks, but only converted one. It was a great goal by Hannah, so it's great to see that. I tell the team all the time, there are no easy games in the Northwest Conference, home or away. You have to respect everybody and our record is 0-0 everyday. 

Today was a reflection of how tough our conference is. If you don't show up and compete week in and week out, you can lose. And that was an example today. We have to learn from it, and it's very early in the season. One loss doesn't dictate our entire journey. I know our group has a solid character and great work ethic and we have a chance to bounce back next weekend in Oregon. Go Lutes!"
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
 
The Lutes will go on a lengthy road trip throughout Oregon as their next five games are on the road. Next Saturday and Sunday, September 23^rd and 24^th, the Lutes will take on George Fox and Linfield Universities at Noon.
 
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