Pacific Lutheran Edges Bearcats, 1-0, in NWC Men's Soccer

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Spencer Augustin scored just 4:16 into the game, and Pacific Lutheran University fended off Willamette University in the second half, as the Lutes defeated the Bearcats, 1-0, at Sparks Field on Sunday, Oct. 24.

The win advanced PLU's record to 9-6-1 on the season, including 8-3-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette finished the day at 3-10-3 overall, 1-8-2 in the NWC.

Augustin hit the net with a 22-yard shot into the lower right corner of the goal. His shot followed a short pass from Giancarlo Santoro, who took the ball down the left side and then moved toward the top of the penalty area, before stopping and passing to Augustin. Santoro received an assist on the play.

PLU outshot Willamette in the first half, 11-7, but the Bearcats achieved a 6-3 advantage in shots during the second half. For the game, Pacific Lutheran had 14 shots and Willamette earned 13. WU held a 6-5 edge in shots on goal.

The Bearcats also gained an 8-6 margin in corner kicks. WU had five corner kicks in the second half, including two back-to-back with about three minutes remaining in the game.

Goalkeeper Brian Kostol of PLU recorded six saves while earning the shutout. Eben Hellekson (Sr., Honolulu, HI/University Laboratory School) provided three saves for Willamette.

Three of Kostol's saves were in the second half. He stopped a shot by Mike McGrew (So., MF, Portland, OR/Grant HS) in the 54th minute, gathered in a header by Brendan Dineen (Jr., D, Portland, OR/Grant HS) in the 69th minute, and caught a shot by Kevin Martin (Fr., MF/D, Cardiff, CA/Francis Parker HS) in the 88th minute.

McGrew led Willamette with four total shots, including two shots on goal. He also provided quality passes from the midfield to the Bearcats' forwards. Augustin, Daniele Zaccagnini and Chad Kearns each took three shots for the Lutes.

The game was the final home match of the season for the Bearcats. Willamette's three seniors -- Hellekson, Pete Kline (D, Cheyenne, WY/Cheyenne Central HS) and Ross Vartain (F, Palo Alto, CA/Mid-Peninsula HS) -- were honored prior to the start of the game.

Kline provided one of the game's more spectacular plays. He used a bicycle kick while facing the Willamette goal in order to clear a ball in the air before it crossed the goal line. Kline's play occurred with 9:33 left in the first half.

Willamette is scheduled to play at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 2:30 p..m. (PDT). The Bearcats will continue the trip by taking on Whitman College on Sunday, Oct. 31 in Walla Walla, Wash., at 2:30 p.m.