Oct. 15, 2006

Lutes Put an End to Boxers' Perfect Home Record

(Courtesy of Pacific Sports Information Office)

Match Statistics

Mike Ferguson - team-leading ninth goal

Derek MacLean - scores match winner

FOREST GROVE - Pacific Lutheran put an end to Pacific's three-game win streak and ended the Boxers' six-game home win streak Sunday as Derek MacLean's second half goal lifted the Lutes to a 2-1 victory over the Boxers in Northwest Conference men's soccer at a rainy and slick Tom Reynolds Field.

The loss drops the Boxers (8-3-1, 5-3-1 NWC) into a tie with the Lutes (8-4-1, 5-2-1 NWC) for third place in the conference. Both teams have 16 points (three for a win, one for a tie), though the Lutes have played one less conference match.

The victory not only completed a sweep of the season series for the Lutes, it ended Pacific's perfect record at home. The Boxers entered the game 6-0-0 this season in games played at Tom Reynolds Field.

Once again, the Boxers were forced into a defensive style of play as they were outshot by the Lutes 25-4. Pacific goalkeeper Jory Shene tied his season high with 12 saves for the contest. Pacific Lutheran netminder Andrew Croft made two stops in the victory.

The Boxers opened scoring off of a free kick in the 20th minute. Jared Komo sent his direct kick to the left side of the box and Kevin Fujimoto sent the ball to Danny Williams, who put the ball in the left corner for his sixth goal of the season.

Junior forward Mike Ferguson hit the equalizer for PLU in the 38th minute, finding the left corner from right in front of the net off of Erik Gracey's cross. Ferguson's goal was his ninth of the season, giving him the team lead in that category. MacLean's game-winning goal came in the 70th minute when he headed in a free kick sent into the box by Trevor McDonald. For MacLean, a freshman defender, it was goal number three this season and his second in three matches.

The goals started an offensive frenzy for the Lutes that could have made the final total much larger. PLU earned six corner kicks in the final 15 minutes, but failed to convert on their attempts. In all, the Lutes held a 13-1 advantage in the corner kick department.

The Lutes return to Northwest Conference action on Wednesday, hosting cross-town rival Puget Sound at 7:30 p.m. at Mt. Tahoma High School.

- PLU -