Three second half goals sparked the Pacific University men's soccer to a 3-0 shutout win in the home opener as the Boxers defeated Wisconsin Lutheran on Friday night.
Pacific managed a 10-6 advantage in shots over Wisconsin Lutheran, including an 8-2 margin in shots on goal. Boxers' goalkeeper
Brock Jones recorded the shutout, making a pair of saves.
Wisconsin Lutheran (1-2), who are from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, were challenged defensively for most of the match. Warriors' goalkeeper Erek Lehnen made five saves – four of which in the first half – in the loss.
The Boxers (1-1-1) ended a scoreless tie in the 47
th minute when
James Curro took advantage of breakaway with a shot to the lower left of the box for the goal. Teammate
Woodey Greer set the shot up, forcing the Warriors defense to collapse on him.
Later in the half, a lightning delay held up the contest for just over 30 minutes, before Pacific extended its lead when
Robert Nurmi settled a corner kick from
Grant Rutledge to the lower right corner. Coincidentally, Nurmi also scored a goal in the 2017 season opener, a 1-0 win over UC-Santa Cruz.
Nurmi returned the favor, finding Rutledge in the 84
th minute on an empty-net attempt for the final margin. Rutledge ended the night, recording a team-high four shots.
Next, Pacific will host Warner Pacific on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. on Ledbetter Field at Hanson Stadium.
