Nov. 2, 2007

Lutes Keep NWC Title Hopes Alive With 1-0 Win at Linfield

Daniel Mangum - nine shutouts this season

Box Score

McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Michael Ferguson scored the only goal in the 52nd minute as Pacific Lutheran defeated host Linfield, 1-0, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match played Friday.

With the victory, PLU improves to 12-6-1 overall and 10-2-1 in the conference. In addition to holding on to second place in the NWC, the Lutes kept alive their conference title hopes. PLU has 31 points from 10 wins and a tie, while conference leader Whitworth has 33 points based on its 11-2-0 record. The Lutes need a win in their final regular season match Saturday at Willamette and also need Whitworth to lose to Whitman in Walla Walla on Saturday night in order to wrest the title from the Pirates. The champion earns the conference's automatic berth in the NCAA Division III postseason tournament.

With the defeat, Linfield dips to 8-8-1 overall and 4-8-1 in NWC play.

Ferguson’s goal was the 48th in his outstanding PLU career and moves him within one of tying the school record of 49 goals scored by Brian Gardner. Ferguson's shot to the right side of the goal area caught Linfield goalkeeper Mike Belzberg leaning the other way. Belzberg saw a Lute offensive player make a run from the left side and took a step in that direction anticipating a pass from Ferguson rather than a shot.

There was little offense in a game that was played mostly in the midfield. The Wildcats struggled to get any offense going, totaling four shots to five shots for the Lutes.

PLU freshman goalkeeper Daniel Mangum had three saves while recording his ninth solo shutout of the season. Belzberg was credited with two saves.

- PLU -