NORTHFIELD, Minn. — In a battle of NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago, Jack Soares proved to be the difference maker. The Saint Olaf College forward had a hat-trick during Friday's season opener as the two-time defending Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team fell 3-1 to the hosts at Rolf Mellby Field. 
 
The reigning Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champion Oles (1-0) drew first blood with Soares scoring in the 11th minute. Connor O'Brien tallied the equalizer just over five minute later, heading the ball past the keeper to the inside far post off a feed from Yuta Shimazu.
 
The game would remain deadlocked until the 34th minute with Saint Olaf's Ryan Bechtel scoring what proved to be the game winner on a deflected shot as the Oles enjoyed a 2-1 edge at the halftime break.

Soares was back at it early in the second half, scoring in the 48th minute before securing the hat-trick and concluding the scoring in the 54th minute. 

"It's not the start we planned for but Saint Olaf is a good team and we still have plenty of things to work on," said Head Coach John Yorke.

"It's a good learning experience for us today. We learned some things about ourselves that will help us. We still have a good team and a good group of guys and we will be fine as long as we respond the right way to today's experience."

Host Saint Olaf enjoyed a 16-9 edge in total shots, including an 11-4 gap in shots on frame. O'Brien, Alex Coope, and Mike Murega led the Lutes (0-1) with two shots apiece.

Chris Jamrock and Landon Gordon combined to make seven saves in goal, each playing a half. Jamrock got the starting nod and made five saves while Gordon had two stops in the second half. St. Olaf's Jack Hobday made three saves on the day.
 
The Lutes are back in action on Sunday, facing 19th-ranked Gustavus Adolphus College at 11 a.m. (Central Time).