SALEM, Ore. - Freshman keeper Chris McDonald (Newton, Mass./Noble & Greenough) got the clean sheet in his first career start as the Puget Sound Loggers defeated the Willamette Bearcats, 2-0, in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match on Sunday afternoon at Sparks Field in Salem, Ore.

Sophomore Joe Lomeo (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) got the Loggers (4-4-0, 1-1-0 NWC) on the board early, using a pass from Zach Semago (Tacoma, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) to fire in a shot from 15 yards out in the ninth minute for his first collegiate goal and a 1-0 Puget Sound lead.  Both teams played hard in the first half as they each chased their first NWC victory as they combined for 13 shots and seven corner kicks in the first half alone.

The Loggers made it 2-0 in the 67th minute when junior Kyle Benson (Mukilteo, Wash./Kamiak) flicked in a header from five yards out following a cross from Sean Rice (Boulder, Colo.) as Puget Sound collected their first conference victory of 2009.

McDonald was solid in his first career start, making three saves on eight total Willamette shots to collect the shutout.  In 270 minutes of action this season, McDonald still has yet to give up a goal. 

Puget Sound will be back in action on Saturday when they play host to Whitworth, beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Peyton Field at Baker Stadium in Tacoma, Wash.

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