HILLSBORO, Ore. — Landon Gordon made his first career start on Sunday and one day later secured his first ever Northwest Conference Defensive Player of the Week Award, landing the honor after leading the Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team to a home victory.
 
The Lacey, Washington native got the call on Sunday, earning the start against Willamette University at East Field. Gordon was more than up for the task, making three saves and allowing no goals in 82 minutes of work in PLU's 3-2 victory over the Bearcats to extend the squad's unbeaten streak to 13 games (10-0-3).
 
The sophomore has appeared in four games this fall, boasting a 1.41 goals against average with 14 saves. 
 
Gordon is the third different Lute goalkeeper to win NWC Player of the Week honors and the fourth different Lute student-athlete to be recognized. Goalkeeper Gio Aguilar-Gutierrez was named NWC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 13 and Sept. 29 while keeper Chris Jamrok was recognized on Sept. 8. Owen Bliskis is the lone field player to win a weekly award from the league, securing NWC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 20.
 
The Lutes (10-3-3, 9-0-3 NWC) sit in second place in the NWC standings but control their own destiny with four games to play. PLU is back in action on Saturday, facing Linfield University in McMinnville, Ore.