SPOKANE, Wash. - The Western Washington University men's soccer team scored in the opening minutes to grab an early lead before Gonzaga University answered back with a pair of first-half goals and added to the lead in the second half for a 5-1 win over the Vikings in an exhibition game on Friday at Luger Field.

The match does not count toward the official 2017 season statistics or record and there was no official box score as official statistics were not kept during the game. The Vikings grabbed a lead with a goal within the first 5 minutes of the game before the Bulldogs answered with a pair of goals late in the first half and added three more in the second half.

Senior forward Anthony Dean (Amsterdam, The Netherlands/Bellevue College), who led the Vikings in goals scored during the 2016 season, gave WWU the lead with a goal in the 3rd minute. His goal was assisted by sophomore forward Christian Rotter (Auburn, WA/Auburn Mountainview).

The 1-0 WWU lead against NCAA Division I Gonzaga held until the 34th minute when the Bulldogs tied the game. Gonzaga added another goal in the 44th minute to take a 2-1 lead into the half. The Bulldogs added goals in the 49th minute, 78th minute and 89th minute en route to the win.

The Vikings remain in Spokane to face NCAA Division III opponent Whitworth University in a second exhibition game on Sunday at 1 pm.

Fans will get their first chance to watch the Vikings in Bellingham next weekend when WWU closes out the exhibition preseason with a game against the University of Puget Sound on Saturday (Aug. 26) at Harrington Field (7 pm).

Goals:

• WWU #9 Anthony Dean 2:44 A #7 Christian Rotter
• GU #16 Nick Ulowetz 33:49 A #19 Colton Cavey
• GU #23 Sam Olson 43:20 A #19 Colton Cavey
• GU #8 48:59 Christo Michaelson
• GU #8 Christo Michaelson 77:11 A #22 Joe Corner
• GU #24 88:18 Matt Kintzle