TACOMA, Wash. – It's a perfect start to the 2010 Northwest Conference season for the Puget Sound men's soccer team. The Loggers (5-1-2, 2-0) scored two goals in the second half en route to a 2-0 victory over Willamette.

Chris McDonald and the Logger defense earned their fourth shutout of the season to help the Loggers to victory. McDonald made two saves in the match and the Loggers allowed just six shots from the Bearcats (2-4-1, 0-2).

"This is a young team that is growing leaps and bounds," commented head coach Reece Olney. "We are very receptive to tactical changes and have had success in constructing a balanced attack."

The Loggers did have a very balanced attack in Sunday's game, tallying four shots in each half for eight total shots. However, two of those shots found the back of the net in the second half.

In the 59th minute, a foul just outside the goalie box on Willamette's end presented an opportunity for the Loggers to break a scoreless tie. Landon Gauthier took the free kick and found Peter Russell on the left side of the box. Russell crossed the ball to Kyle Benson, who found himself all alone on the right side of the box. Benson tapped the ball in for the game's first goal.

With the Bearcats starting to exert a bit more pressure in the following minutes, the Loggers responded with another goal from Ryan Rash. Rash received a pass about 20 yards out. He dodged a couple a Bearcat defenders and fired a left-footed shot past the keeper to the top left corner, padding the Loggers lead to 2-0.

The Bearcats could not respond as the Loggers stayed perfect in the NWC. Next week, they head to Whitworth on Saturday and Whitman on Sunday. The Loggers have a 1-1-1 record on the road.