TACOMA, Wash.— The Cal Lutheran men's soccer team came up empty in their season opener as the Kingsmen fell to the Pacific Lutheran Lutes 2-0.
The match was the first game of the season for both teams. The Lutes outshot the Kingsmen 11-5 and had more corner kicks, 6-0.
The Kingsmen had a few opportunities early on, but were offsides twice and one shot was sent wide. Pacific Lutheran got on the board first as the Lutes scored in the 25th minute. Five minutes later, Cal Lutheran had their chances again. However, another offsides was called and Adrian Gracianos shot was blocked.
The rest of the half was calm as neither team could get an edge and the score remained 1-0 at the half.
PLU controlled the start of the second half and had many shots on goal and corner kicks. The Cal Lutheran defense stepped up big each time and kept the game in reach. Pacific Lutheran broke through for its second goal in the 69th minute and put the pressure on the Kingsmen.
Cal Lutheran had three more shots throughout the rest of the game, but weren't able to find the back of the net. PLU took the game, 2-0, as they held on to shut out the Kingsmen.
Owen Ebner was in the goal for the Violet and Gold and made one save, but took the loss. McKay Severance and Graciano led CLU with two shots and Juan Valencia added one more.
Cal Lutheran looks to bounce back Sunday. The Kingsmen remain on the road and will be at Puget Sound with the kickoff set for 1 p.m.
Box Score: PLU 2, CLU 0
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director