FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Junior Gunnar Swenson delivered a golden goal in the 104th minute to earn Pacific a 1-0 victory at Hanson Stadium over No. 24 Puget Sound in the Boxers' Northwest Conference opener.
 
The Boxers and Loggers opened Saturday's meeting in the rain by exchanging shots, as the opening two shots of the match saw a save by Pacific junior Leyton Thommasen (Des Moines, Wash.) and a ball off the post from Pacific senior Elan Yogi (Mililani, Hawaii).
 
The opening half saw Thommasen spring into action for three saves, before the second period saw both keepers forced to make tough saves on what looked to be sure-thing goals.
 
As time began to expire in regulation, the Pacific defense battled through four late Puget Sound corner kicks to push the match into extra time.
 
The opening period of extra time saw the teams combine for two shots and three offside calls, moving the action into a second extra time period.
 
Just under four minutes into the second period of extra time, junior Matt Kimball (Tigard, Ore.) fed a pass to freshman Robert Nurmi (Gig Harbor, Wash.) who created enough space to send a low hard cross through the 18-yard box, where Swenson (Arlington, Wash.) tapped in his first collegiate goal on the far post to earn Pacific's victory over the ranked visitors.
 
Pacific continues a home weekend to start conference play with a 2:30 p.m. meeting on Sunday with Pacific Lutheran at Hanson Stadium.