NEWBERG, Ore. --- The Pacific Lutheran Men's Soccer team (5-1-3, 3-0-2 NWC) handed the Bruins of George Fox University (6-2-1, 2-2-1 NWC) their second loss of the season, earning a 3-0 shutout.
 
PLU got to work early and often, with senior Craig Johnson firing the first attempt of the game four minutes in. Sophomore defender Alvin Kamau's shot was saved in the 10^th minute, but sophomore Connor O'Brien scored first just a minute later; earning an assist for Johnson.
 
Misha Turchaninov and Trevor Thompson's shots proved unsuccessful in the following minutes, as Thompson's found the top post. Thompson and the Lutes offense controlled the position for the majority of the half, while the defense held the Bruins without an attempt for the final 15 minutes; and just three in the first half. PLU led George Fox 1-0 after 45 minutes.
 
The Bruins matched their shot total in the first half during the first eight minutes of the final half, but just one was on-target and earned senior goalkeeper Nicholas Gaston a save. Both squads traded offensive pressures, until the Lutes found some success come late in the 65^th minute. Thompson, Yuta Shimazu, and Quinn Bieber's three consecutive shots led to Bieber's first goal of the season, putting the Lutes up 2-0. For Thompson, he earned an assist and added to his already record-pacing season total.
 
Lutes senior midfielder Craig Johnson further extended the lead and put the game out of reach in the 83^rd minute, beating the Bruins goalkeeper. Johnson's score came off of a pass from defender Landon Sexton. A pair of Bruins shots in the closing minutes missed the target, as PLU went on to take a 3-0 victory on the road. The Lutes now hold a two-game win streak in Northwest Conference play, and the defense shutout their opponent for the first time since the 5-0 victory over Linfield on September 22^nd.
 
The Lutes outshot the Bruins over 90 minutes, 21-12, with the Lutes adding 13 attempts on-goal while the Bruins had just three. Thompson led the Lutes in shots with six, three of which requiring a save but he could not find the net in the game. Johnson and sophomore Yuta Shimazu added three shots a piece. Gaston made three saves while posting his second shutout of the season.
 
The Lutes will wrap up their weekend road trip in Oregon Sunday afternoon in Forest Grove, Oregon against the Pacific Boxers at 12 p.m.
 
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