TACOMA, Wash. — Connor O'Brien blasted a free kick goal just before halftime but it wasn't enough to leave East Field with the victory, as the Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer squad fell 2-1 to visiting Chapman University in the season opener on Friday night.
A delayed start due to lightning didn't stop the Lutes (0-1) from striking first with
Connor O'Brien burying his 15th career goal and the first of the season for PLU in the 41st minute. The Lutes' elation was short lived with Evan White collecting a rebounded shot and scoring an equalizer two minutes later for the Panthers (1-0) as the two squads entered the halftime intermission deadlocked at 1-1.
Bryan Antov proved the decisive score, finding the back of the net in the 58th minute to propel Chapman to the win.
The Lutes outshot the Panthers 5-4 in the second half but were outshot 11-8 overall over the course of the 90-minute match, with Chapman enjoying a 7-5 edge in shots on frame. O'Brien had three of PLU's shots on frame while
Ty Brunner ripped off three shots with two landing on target.
Chris Jamrok and
Gio Aguilar-Gutierrez each played a half in goal. Jamrok earned the start and made three saves while yielding one goal in the opening half while Aguilar-Gutierrez made two stops while surrendering a goal as well.
The Lutes are back on East Field on Sunday morning, hosting Midwest Conference Champion Lake Forest College at 11 a.m.
