Lutes Record 1-0 Shutout Win in Season Opener

 PARKLAND - Karli Hurlbut scored late in the first half and Pacific Lutheran weathered 21 Northwest University shots as the Lutes opened their 2009 women's soccer season with a 1-0 victory on Tuesday evening.

Hurlbut, a sophomore midfielder, took a pass from freshman midfielder Mimi Granlund and shot over Northwest goalkeeper Jordan Holmes and into the upper netting. The goal came against the run of play as the visiting Eagles had a majority of possession up until that point.

The host Lutes had some good chances early in the second half as Karin Hatch and Brittney Bronson forced Holmes' only two saves of the match. As the clock wound down, the Eagles increased the pressure on the Pacific Lutheran goal and only scrappy defending, solid goalkeeping and a little luck kept the ball out of the net. Sophomore central defender Jordan Daniels anchored the back line, and Lauren Chambard and Ivory Harvey shared the shutout. Chambard started the match and recorded six saves in 60 minutes while Harvey came up with two saves in 30 minutes.

Northwest (0-1) twice hit the crossbar with shots, the second coming with about 5:30 remaining in the game on Julia Johnson's long-range effort from the left. The ball fell to Chelsea Miller, but her rebound effort sailed over the top of the bar.

Northwest finished with 21 shots, eight on goal, and four corner kicks, while the Lutes finished with eight shots, three on goal, and no corners.

PLU returns to action this coming weekend with a pair of games in Southern California. The Lutes face Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 4 p.m. Friday and Chapman at 11 a.m. Sunday.

- PLU -