Nov. 3, 2007

Ferguson Ties Career Goal Scoring Record in Lutes' Win

Michael Ferguson - ties PLU career goal scoring record

Box Score

SALEM, ORE. - Michael Ferguson scored his 49th goal to tie the Pacific Lutheran career record as the Lutes defeated the host Willamette Bearcats, 3-1, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match played Saturday afternoon.

The contest was the regular season finale for both teams. Pacific Lutheran hopes to continue its season in NCAA Division III postseason play as an at-large invitee based on a second-place NWC finish. Whitworth defeated Whitman, 1-0, late Saturday night to wrap up the conference championship and with it an automatic berth in the Division III tournament.

Ferguson put the Lutes on the board just 4:38 in the first half and at the same time tied Brian Gardner, who played at PLU from 1986-89, for first on the Lutes men's soccer goal scoring list. Ferguson, a senior forward out of Auburn Riverside High School, sent a penalty kick into the right side of the net for his 14th goal of the season.

Greg Beasley headed home a corner kick at 31:04 to pull Willamette into a 1-1 tie, but PLU broke the deadlock with a goal 2:04 before halftime, then added an insurance goal with 4:17 remaining in the game.

The Lutes took a 2-1 halftime lead on Brennan Brown's first goal of the year. He headed a loose ball in the penalty area and placed it into the left side of the goal. Brown's header was taken from about nine yards upfield and to the right of the goal.

Trevor Jacka added PLU's third goal at 85:43 on another header, this time on a corner kick. Jason Bjorgo, who earned an assist on the play, took the corner from the right side and found Jacka just two yards away from the left post.

The Lutes improved to 13-6-1 overall, 11-2-1 in the Northwest Conference. The Lutes, who started the season with four non-conference losses, compiled an impressive 13-2-1 record in their last 16 regular season matches. Willamette ended its season at 2-15-2 overall, 0-13-1 in the NWC.

PLU outshot the Bearcats, 22-7, including an 8-2 edge in shots on goal. The Lutes also claimed a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks. Ferguson and Jacka led the Lutes with five total shots each. Beasley took five shots for the Bearcats. Willamette goalkeeper Mark Bennett registered five saves and Daniel Mangum collected one save for Pacific Lutheran.

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