PORTLAND, ORE. --- The Pacific Lutheran Men's Soccer team remained undefeated in Northwest Conference play on Saturday as they defeated the Pioneers of Lewis & Clark College 5-0.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
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In the first half, the Lutes took command of possession early, firing two shot in the first five minutes. Senior
Craig Johnson continued his high-scoring season with a goal in the fifth minute off of a pass from junior
Trevor Thompson, putting the Lutes up early, 1-0.
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The Lutes continued to apply pressure on the Pioneers in the first half, as freshman
Owen Bliskis found the back of the net in the 31
st minute off of a pass from senior
Sammy Tafolla. The Lutes tired to add to their lead at the end of the half with consecutive corner kicks, but both were unsuccessful attempts. The Lutes lead the Pioneers at the half, 2-0. The Lutes outshot the Pioneers in the first half, 8-1. Neither goalkeeper recorded a save. In corners, the Lutes lead four to one, but the Lutes also fouled the Pioneers ten times to their one.
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The second half began much like the first, but it was Bliskis who started the scoring in the half for the Lutes with a goal in the lower left corner. Bliskis's goal came off of a pass from senior Kelly Brandt in the 48
th minute. The Lutes defense maintained steady for the next 20 minutes, when Johnson scored his second goal of the day off of a pass from senior
Robby Guyer. Coming off of the kickoff, the Lutes immediately stole the ball from the Pioneers and scored just seconds later. The fifth goal of the day came from Thompson after an assist from senior
Dane Helle.
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The Lutes would go on to win 5-0 over the Pioneers.
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INSIDE THE STATS
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Johnson took the most shots for the Lutes with four, two of which were on goal and found the back of the net. Thompson took two shots as two were on goal and scoring one. Four Lutes recorded assists, Helle, Tafolla, Thompson, and Guyer.
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The Lutes took 25 total shots as a team, compared to the Pioneers two. Neither of the Pioneers shots were on goal, therefore, goalkeeper
Nicholas Gaston made zero saves.
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WHAT'S NEXT?
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The Lutes Men's Soccer team will continue their second Oregon road trip with a road matchup against the Boxers of Pacific University on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in Forest Grove, Ore.
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To follow Lutes coverage all season long, please follow us on social media; PLU Athletics on Facebook, @GoLutes on X.com and Instagram.
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