Setting the Scene: The eight-time defending Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer squad continues its five match homestand, welcoming NWC rival Lewis & Clark to the new turf at East Field.
Series History: The Lutes enjoy a 50-4-6 edge in the all-time series that dates back to the 1981 season. PLU is unbeaten in the last 22 meetings (20-0-2) a run that stretches back to the 2013 campaign. Last year, PLU piled on eight goals over the two game series, winning 5-2 in Portland and 3-1 on East Field.
About the Lutes: Pacific Lutheran (0-2-2) opens its title defense after a rugged non-conference slate that included three games against NCAA Tournament squads and two games against nationally-ranked foes.
The Lutes opened the year in the Texas heat, earning a 1-1 draw with University of Saint Thomas and another 1-1 stalemate against host and 10th-ranked Trinity University.
A week later, the Lutes allowed a late goal in a 1-0 setback to California Lutheran University before falling by the same scoreline to 19th-ranked Pomona-Pitzer Colleges.
Kiana Gutierrez and Liv Olson have been the two goal scorers so far for the Lutes, getting assists from Olivia Boehm and Zoe Markquart.
Abby Winkler has been tough in goal over the opening four games, playing every minute of every match and making 32 saves so far.
About the Pioneers: Lewis & Clark (0-3-1) rolls into league play looking to snap a three-game slide as they hit the road for the first time this season.
The Pios opened the year with a 1-1 draw against the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh but fell 3-0 to Chapman University (Calif.) just two days later. Lewis & Clark allowed an early second half goal in a 3-2 setback to Northwest University (Wash.) while suffering a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the University of California-Santa Cruz.
Lewis & Clark's four goals have come from four different players with Carli Driskll leading the team in points (three) with one goal and one assist this fall.
Three keepers have seen time in net with Anna Ingadottir seeing the most action, making 19 saves in 180 minutes of work.
Home Sweet Home
The Lutes have been nearly unstoppable at home since the 2013 season, enjoying an 89-10-12 record in home games on the artificial turf at East Field. That includes going 7-0-3 last fall and having 10-0 records at home during both the 2021 and 2017 campaigns.
Highlights from Luteville
NWC Coaches' Poll
This August, the Lutes were picked to defend their crown according to the annual NWC Coaches' Poll. PLU earned 64 points in the poll, owning a 10-point edge on crosstown nemesis and second ranked Puget Sound.
Trailblazing NIL the D3 Way: PLU Athletics continues to lead the way nationally in Name, Image, and Likeness, unveiling the Luteville Marketplace last fall through the department's partnership with Opendorse. But don't stay on the sidelines, get involved and connect with PLU student-athletes on the Luteville Marketplace: LINK
The Luteville Marketplace is the first dedicated NIL marketplace in Division III on the Opendorse platform that directly connects student-athletes with fans, supporters, and business partners in an easy to use website.
Stay connected to your favorite teams by downloading the official mobile app of the Pacific Lutheran University athletic department powered by SIDEARM Sports, available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
Featuring real-time news alerts, schedules, exclusive multimedia content, gameday details and more, the new PLU Athletics app is free and compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
Next Home Match:
Sept. 24 vs. Puget Sound at 4 p.m.
PLU Non-Discrimination Policy: Pacific Lutheran University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator Jennifer Childress-White; 253-535-7361; TitleIX@plu.edu