TACOMA, Wash. Jacob Fritz knocked home his first goal of the year less than three minutes into second-half action Saturday at Pacific Lutheran University, providing the game-winner in what would turn into a 3-1 Whitman College victory in Northwest Conference men's soccer action on the turf of PLU's East Field.

The victory lifted Whitman to a 2-1 league mark and a 6-3 record overall, doubling its win total from last fall. The loss evens the Lutes' record at 4-4-1 overall and sinks PLU to 1-2 in league play.

Back and forth action generated only a combined 20 shots, but of those shots 10 were on frame.

Whitman struck first, past the mid-point of the opening half, as Fritz lobbed a service deep into the box where an unmarked Eric Conte easily volleyed a shot behind PLU goalkeeper Jack Rose in the 37th minute.

Fritz nearly upped the lead with a shot that sailed just high four minutes later, but PLU was able to transition into a positive possession at the other end and found the equalizer from Eddie Na at the 42:24 mark.

The halftime speech from head coach Jose Cedeno must have been a good one because Whitman came out flying after the halftime break.

Less than three minutes into the second half Fritz put Whitman ahead with an unassisted goal, and then 12 minutes later Ben Freedman rocketed a shot from nearly 30 yards out that skirted the underside of the crossbar to double the advantage.

Possession and advantage leaned Whitman's way throughout the final 45 minutes. The only shot the Lutes would muster in the half was a header with 12 seconds remaining in the game.

Whitman goalkeeper Owen Davis-Bower (4-2) earned the win after coming up with five saves. At the other end of the pitch PLU's Tanner Premo ended up taking the loss, surrendering the second half's two Whitman goals after taking over for Rose at the start of the half.

The weekend road trip continues for Whitman which moves on to Sunday when it will take on host University of Puget Sound at 2:30 p.m. in another NWC contest.