TACOMA, Wash. --- The Pacific Lutheran Men's Soccer team (3-1-2, 1-0-1 NWC) rebounded on Sunday, earning a dominant 5-0 win over Linfield, as five different Lutes scored.
 
The Lutes began the game with extra energy, coming off of a 1-1 draw against Willamette the day prior. Senior Trevor Thompson wasted no time on offense, firing two shots in the first five minutes. Linfield's first shot came in the 15^th minute, but missed the target.
 
Sophomore Owen Bliskis broke the ice in the 21^st minute, scoring on a rebounded shot from Alvin Kamau. Lutes Goalkeeper Nicholas Gaston made his first save moments after on a shot from Linfield's forward.
 
Thompson and Craig Johnson paired up after the Wildcats goalkeeper was called for a delay of game, earning the Lutes an indirect free kick inside the box. Johnson tapped the free kick over to Thompson who beat the running Wildcats to put the Lutes up 2-0.
 
Gaston made a pair of highlight-reel saves to close out the first half, one on a shot from outside the box and another on the right post, requiring a diving save. The Lutes defense held the Wildcats to just four shots in the first 45-minutes.
 
Trailing in the second half, the Wildcats matched the Lutes in shot attempts to open the half. But it was senior midfielder Christian Pineda who would score his first goal of the season off of the pass from sophomore Yuta Shimazu. Although Head Coach John Yorke began playing some players off of the bench, the shot attempts did not stop. Freshman Mike Murega tallied his first goal of his collegiate career in the 77^th minute, earning an assist from Connor O'Brien.
 
O'Brien added a second assist to his total when sophomore Gracen Connell beat the keeper in the 87^th minute to put the game away. The Lutes defeated the Wildcats to earn their first win of the 2024 Northwest Conference season.
 
Johnson and Thompson led with four shots and two on goal. Meanwhile 14 different Lutes took shot attempts in the contest. O'Brien was credited with two assists in the game. Goalkeeper Nicholas Gaston recorded four saves, two of which were highlight-worthy. As a team the Lutes outshot the Wildcats, 23 to eight, with the defense holding Linfield to just four shots on goal.
 
The Lutes earn a pair of days rest before hosting rival Puget Sound on Wednesday on East Field at 4 p.m.
 
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