Lutes Earn 2-1 Win in Second Overtime against Bearcats

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

PARKLAND, WASH. -- Pacific Lutheran University, ranked #6 in the NCAA Division III Poll, received a goal from Derek Johnson at 107:28 to defeat visiting Willamette University, 2-1 in two overtimes, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer game on Sunday, Sept. 29. PLU advanced to 8-0-2 overall, 3-0-1 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 5-3-1 on the season, 1-2-1 in the NWC.

PLU won two games this week after moving up one spot in this week's poll released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

The winning goal, Johnson's second score of the game, was earned on a shot from point-blank range following a corner kick. His shot sent the ball into the middle of the goal.

Johnson's first goal was scored at 87:57 when his 10-yard shot from the left side went into the net and appeared to be a game-winner with just 2:03 left in regulation. Instead, Jesse Thompson (So., F, Santa Ynez, CA/Santa Ynez HS) of Willamette registered the equalizing goal with 11 seconds remaining at 89:49.

Rigoberto Loreto earned an assist on the initial goal with a pass to the left, and later provided an assist on the winning goal on a corner kick.

Will O'Neil (Sr., F, Vashon, WA/Vashon Island HS) and Yazan Hishmeh (So., F, Ventura, CA/Saint Bonaventure HS) of Willamette each registered an assist on the tying goal, as they set up Thompson for an open shot from 8 yards out.

Both teams were unable to score for most of regulation.

The Lutes recorded nine shots in the first 90 minutes, with seven shots on goal. Willamette goalkeeper Braydon Calder (So., Philomath, OR/Philomath HS) saved the first six shots on goal, as he accumulated three saves in each half. Willamette produced five shots in regulation, but Thompson's shot that tied the game was the only shot on goal.

PLU achieved a 7-2 margin in total shots during the overtime periods to finish with a 16-7 advantage overall.

Johnson forced Calder to make a save with 12 seconds left in the first overtime. Trevor Jensen (Sr., MF, Chula Vista, CA/Bonita Vista HS) of Willamette shot on target in the second overtime at 102:39, but PLU goalie Joe Rayburn earned a save. Calder stopped a shot by Diego Aceves at 107:07. The ball went over the end line, setting up the game-winning corner kick.

Calder ended the game with a personal season-high of eight saves for the Bearcats, one save short of his career high of nine set against Trinity University (Texas) last season. Rayburn's save on the shot by Jensen in the second overtime was his only save of the game.

The Bearcats will play at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., on Saturday, Oct. 5. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).