A LITTLE RIVALRY ACTION
Following the first blemish of the 2007 season, the Puget Sound Loggers responded well on Sunday, defeating George Fox 2-0. This week, they will play host to Pacific Lutheran on Wednesday before traveling down to Willamette on Saturday.
The Loggers vs. Pacific
The fifth-ranked Puget Sound Loggers outshot their Saturday opponents by a total of 41-12 but it was the Pacific Boxers who collected the upset victory, stunning the Loggers, 2-1, in double overtime in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match on Saturday afternoon in Tacoma.
The Boxers (4-3-2, 2-2-2 NWC) got the first goal in the closing seconds of the first half when Jasem Jaihouni took a pass from Anthony Jaeger, briefly dribbled and then finished past Logger keeper Pete Van Sant (Santa Cruz, Calif.) to give Pacific a 1-0 halftime lead.
In the second half, it only took 16 seconds for the Loggers (9-1-0, 4-1-0 NWC) to even things up when Daniel Lee (Seattle, Wash./Roosevelt) shot the ball and Boxer keeper Andrew Stevermer couldn't quite hold onto the ball as it slipped into the net.
Neither team could find an open net in the remaining 44 minutes of the game, despite 19 Logger shots, and the two squads headed to overtime, the second straight overtime contest for the Loggers and the third for the Boxers. The Logger offense continued to be strong but Stevermer was able to halt numerous Logger chances. The Boxers' lone chance came in the 109th minute when Robin Grossman and Kevin Fujimoto combined on a cross that was finished by the forehead of Travis Birrell with the game-winner.
Van Sant made six saves for the Loggers while Stevermer finished with 21 saves for the Boxers.
The Loggers vs. George Fox
On a wet and windy Sunday afternoon, the fifth-ranked Puget Sound Loggers used 28 total shots and a few quick decisions to earn a 2-0 win over the visiting George Fox Bruins in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match on Peyton Field at Baker Stadium in Tacoma.
The Loggers (10-1-0, 5-1-0 NWC) broke the scoreless draw in the 35th minute when Alex Lehecka (Burlington, Wash./Burlington-Edison) took advantage of an overplay by Bruin keeper Jake Maguire following a cross by Mark Conrad (Seattle, Wash./Willamette) to put the ball into an open net. The goal gave the Loggers a 1-0 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Loggers second goal came at the 80-minute mark when a quick-thinking Greg Swanson (University Place, Wash./Curtis) took advantage of a quick whistle and put a free kick from just outside the box past Maguire, who was still setting up the George Fox defense. The game was physical on both sides with 30 total fouls called and six yellow cards shown, three to each team.
Logger keeper Pete Van Sant (Santa Cruz, Calif.) made five saves to collect the shutout, his eighth of the season. Maguire made eight saves for the Bruins, but allowed the two goals.
National Attention
Despite the loss, the Loggers moved up in the NSCAA/adidas National Rankings, taking over the 13th spot after sitting 18th last week. In the D3kicks.com Top 25, the Loggers fell from fifth to 11th.
Statistically Speaking
As a team, the Loggers continue to lead the NWC in several categories. Puget Sound is tops in shots (241), points (81), goals (31), goals allowed (4), goals against average (0.35), shutouts (8), corners (76), and attendance (394 avg/g). Individually, Alex Lehecka leads the NWC in game-winning goals (4) while Pete Van Sant is tops in goals against average (0.35) and save percentage (.915), as well as shutouts (8.0).
On the national stage, the Loggers are fourth in save percentage (0.917), 10th in team goals against average (0.35) and 10th in shutout percentage (0.73). Van Sant is ninth in GAA (0.355) and seventh in save percentage (0.915).
Scouting Pacific Lutheran
The Lutes head across Tacoma on Wednesday with a record of 7-5 overall and 5-1 in the Northwest Conference, tied with the Loggers for second. After losing their first four games, the Lutes have won seven of their last eight matches. Mike Ferguson has been the offensive spark for PLU in 2007, scoring eight goals and assisting on five others for 21 points. Daniel Mangum has seen the majority of time in net, allowing four goals in 750:10 for a 0.48 GAA and a .846 save percentage.
Scouting Willamette
The Bearcats continue to struggle in 2007, heading into their Wednesday match with George Fox with a 2-9-1 record overall and a winless 0-7-0 in NWC play. The Loggers and Bearcats met on Sep. 16 with UPS taking the 5-0 win. Casey Dineen leads the team offensively, having scored three of the teams' 10 goals this season. Scott Klein has seen most of the time in net, allowing 25 goals in 709:58 for a 3.17 GAA and a .695 save percentage.
The Coach
In his 14th season at the helm of the Loggers, Reece Olney has compiled a career record through the weekend of 169-75-24. In Northwest Conference matches, Olney has a record of 97-29-12.
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