Oct. 28, 2006

Lutes Win Defensive Struggle, 1-0, in NWC Men’s Soccer

Baard Asker - scores only goal of match

Andrew Croft - shutout for PLU keeper

Match Statistics

TACOMA, Wash. – In a match dominated by the defenses, Pacific Lutheran forward Baard Asker scored the only goal in the second half as the Lutes defeated the visiting Whitman Missionaries, 1-0, in Northwest Conference men’s soccer action Saturday at the PLU field.

Asker, a freshman from Oslo, Norway, tallied his ninth goal of the season at 51:13, beating Whitman goalkeeper Brett Axelrod with a shot into the left side of the goal after taking a pass from Andy Hyres. Pacific Lutheran took only six shots, and Asker’s was the only effort that was on goal.

The Lutes had at least three other excellent chances, all headers by Erik Gracey. His first effort, coming in the opening seconds of the match, hit the post. He also was wide with a pair of second half headers.

The Missionaries pushed forward in the closing minutes, looking for the tying goal, and in fact had a couple of corner kick opportunities inside the final minute. Neither effort put pressure on Pacific Lutheran sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Croft, who finished the match with three saves.

Both teams play tomorrow, the Lutes hosting Whitworth and Whitman playing at Puget Sound.

- PLU -