NEWBERG, Ore. — The high-octane Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team scored early and often on Saturday afternoon, remaining perfect in Northwest Conference play after dismantling George Fox University 9-0 at the Austin Sports Complex.
 
The Lutes (4-1-2, 3-0 NWC) sit in first place in the NWC standings after outscoring the opposition by a combined 19-1 scoreline through the opening three games of the conference slate.
 
Reigning NWC Defender of the Week Alvin Kamau opened the scoring in the 16th minute, netting his third goal of the season off a feed from Dane Helle. 
 
Reigning NWC Offensive Player of the Week Craig Johnson doubled the PLU advantage just three minutes later with Helle collecting his second assist of the game.
 
Halle made it 3-0 in the 22nd minute with Sammy Tafolla and Trevor Thompson getting the assists. Johnson's second goal came in the 35th minute followed by a Connor O'Brien score in the 41st minute off an assist from Brandt Kelly as the Lutes waltzed into halftime with a comfortable 5-0 edge.
 
Yuta Shimazu scored his first two collegiate goals in the second half, striking in the 50th minute from a pass from Johnson and again in the 60th minute with Robby Guyer netting the helper. 
 
O'Brien added his second goal of the game in the 66th minute before Kelly made it 9-0 in the 68th with Owen Bliskis notching the assist. 
 
Nicholas Gaston and Lucas Hempen combined for the clean sheet, the Lutes second straight shutout. The two keepers each played a half and finished with a save apiece.

"We have some guys who are really playing well right now. We have lots of good contributions from a lot of people. Our veteran guys are stepping up and some of our young guys are having really good impacts," said Head Coach John Yorke.

"It's nice for us to finish our chances."
 
PLU outshot the host Bruins (2-4-1, 1-1-1 NWC) 15-3, including a 10-2 edge in shots on target. 
 
Saturday's rout was the Lutes largest victory since rolling Willamette University 9-0 on Nov. 5, 2005. 
 
The Lutes resume their road trip tomorrow afternoon, trekking to McMinnville, Oregon for a showdown with Linfield University.