Box Score

TACOMA, Wash. - Picked in the pre-season by the conference coaches to challenge for the Northwest Conference men's soccer crown, the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes began the year 0-4 against a rugged non-league schedule but showed why they were rated so high with a 4-0 win over the George Fox University Bruins Saturday afternoon here at the PLU Field.

PLU, picking up its first win of the season, broke onto the board just 2:03 into the match when midfielder Jason Bjorgo scored his second goal of the season, a 12-yard shot following a goal mouth scramble after the Bruins failed to get a good clearance. The first half ended with the Lutes leading 1-0, but they dominated second-half action.

Just 50 seconds into the second period, defender Brian Lubeck headed home a cross from Brennan Brown for his first tally of the season. Mike Ferguson scored his second goal of the campaign at 71:09, beating Bruin goalkeeper Kyle Putnam with a left-footed shot from 15 yards out. Putnam had made several excellent saves among his five in the game to keep Ferguson from scoring at least two more goals.

PLU's final tally came at 79:22 when Joern Hella, who had assisted on Ferguson's goal, took a pass from Derek MacLean and beat Putnam with a low shot to the far post.

The Lutes out-shot the Bruins 18-3, held a 9-1 advantage in shots on goal, and out-cornered the Bruins 7-1. Daniel Mangum, making his first start, picked up one save in earning the shutout for PLU.

George Fox (3-4, NWC 1-1) plays next Saturday at home vs. Whitman College at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Lutheran (1-4, NWC 1-0) returns to action at 2:30 p.m. Sunday when the Lutes host Simpson College (Iowa) in a non-conference match.