TACOMA, Wash. --- The Pacific Lutheran Men's Soccer team (2-1-2, 0-0-1 NWC) began their Northwest Conference title defense on Saturday against the Willamette Bearcats (1-3-2, 1-0-1 NWC), earning a 1-1 draw.
 
The Lutes goal scoring leader thus far this season, senior forward Trevor Thompson applied the pressure early, firing his first shot on goal, but it was saved by the Bearcats sophomore goalkeeper. Controlling the offensive momentum early, Thompson and sophomore Connor O'Brien ripped five total shots in the first 20 minutes of play, as the Bearcats made four saves. O'Brien's first shot earned a team save, as it beat the keeper but was cleared out by a Willamette defender.
 
Senior Craig Johnson recorded his first show in the 23^rd minute but could not beat the keeper. The Bearcats took three shots in the first 45 minutes, all missing the target. The first half wrapped up with high energy as Willamette earned two yellow cards in the 39^th and 42^nd minutes. The Bearcats were called offsides five times in the first half, likely due to the Lutes high defensive line. The conference foes took a 0-0 tie into halftime.
 
Willamette picked up a third yellow card early in the second half, shortly before taking a 1-0 lead on a counter-attack that snuck past Lutes goalkeeper Nicholas Gaston. Thompson began to heat up again, firing shots on nearly each possession in the 70^th minute but struggled to find the target. He broke free with Owen Bliskis in the 76^th minute, with Bliskis feeding Thompson a perfect ball where the senior ripped the ball past the keeper to tie the game at 1-1.
 
After Willamette's fourth yellow card in the 77^th minute, they were only able to take one shot for the rest of the game, but missed out right. Misha Turchaninov and Jared Dubinsky fired the Lutes final three shots in the closing minutes, but none were strong enough to score.
 
The Lutes earned a draw in the conference opener against Willamette.
 
With 18 shots to the Bearcats nine, the Lutes had 10 shots on goal while Willamette had two. Thompson led the Lute's offensive attack, firing eight shots, with five on-frame. Thompson scored the lone goal for PLU in the contest, in which Bliskis had the assist. Gaston recorded one save in the game.
 
The Lutes return to action tomorrow at noon on East Field, looking to grab their first win of the 2024 Northwest Conference season against Linfield.
 
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