Oct. 1, 2006

Gracey's Header Nets PLU 1-0 Win at Whitman

Match Statistics

(Courtesy Whitman Sports Information Office)

Erik Gracey - first goal this season is match winner

A header off a soaring 50-yard free kick gave Pacific Lutheran a 1-0 victory over the Whitman Missionaries in Northwest Conference men's soccer action Sunday afternoon at the Whitman Athletic Fields.

Now 3-1-0 in NWC play and 6-3-0 overall, the Lutes tallied Sunday's lone goal with just under five minutes left in the first half. Andy Stolz lofted the free kick to the six-yard box, where teammate Erik Gracey rose above the crowd to twist the header into the Missionary net. The goal was Gracey's first of the season.

Whitman, now 1-3-2 in conference, outshot the Lutes 7-5 in the first half. Pacific Lutheran turned the tables a bit in the second half and finished the game with a 14-11 edge in shots. The visitors also had a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal.

The Lutes return to action next weekend, hosting Linfield on Saturday and Willamette on Sunday.

- PLU -