TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team will travel south of Washington this weekend as they will face off against the Boxers of Pacific University and then up against the George Fox University Bruins.
 
The Lutes (9-4, 5-2 Northwest Conference), enter the weekend after a dramatic comeback against the crosstown rival University of Puget Sound last Friday, and having won five out of their last six matches. 
 
After being down 2-0 in the opening minutes and being down again by two goals at half (3-1), the Lutes went on a second half surge scoring three goals and claiming the victory 4-3. 
 
Freshman defender Mason Joe scored the game winner for the Lutes, on his first touch of the game. 
 
"Before I got subbed in, John told me to really attack their back line. So when I went in and Ryan Griffith took it down the line and crossed it in, and I just stuck my foot out to get in front of the defender and it went in. I didn't know what to do when I scored because it has been a while since I scored, but then I freaked out for a second until my brother (DJ Joe) called me over to the bench and we did our handshake together. My teammates went insane when I scored, and Nick Brundage grabbed me by the neck and shook me around and we all just yelled together, it was one of the most thrilling moments in my soccer career."
 
The Lutes hope to keep things rolling this weekend as the head to Oregon to face Pacific and George Fox.
 
Oct. 13: PLU vs. Pacific in Forest Grove, Oregon (2:30 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Boxers have tangled 65 times since the 1980 season with PLU holding a commanding 47-14-4 edge in the all-time series. PLU prevailed the first meeting this season, netting a pair of late goals for a 2-1 win on Sept. 30 at East Field.
 
About the Boxers: Pacific (1-7-3, 0-5-2 NWC) is still searching for its first victory of the NWC slate, having managed just two points through the opening seven games of the conference season. The Boxers earned a 1-1 draw against Linfield College on Sept. 22 and a scoreless tie against Puget Sound on Sept. 29.
 
Robert Nurmi is Pacific's top offensive weapon, scoring or assisting on five of the team's seven goals this season. Brock Jones is the Boxers' primary keeper, making 34 saves with a 1.49 goals against average. 
 
Oct. 14: PLU vs. George Fox in Newberg, Oregon (12 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Bruins have battled 51 times on the pitch with PLU owning a commanding 41-9-1 advantage in the all-time series, including winning the last 18 meetings. PLU scored early and often in the first meeting this season on Sept. 29, rolling to the 7-1 win.
 
About the Bruins: George Fox (2-8-1, 1-5-1 NWC) snapped a nine match winless streak on Sunday, besting Pacific 2-0 in Newberg courtesy of a pair of late goals. The two squads played even through the opening 81 minutes, William Rudd put GFU up 1-0 in the 82nd minute with Moises Manon sealing the win with a goal with 37 seconds left in the game. 
 
Manon is the Bruins' leading scorer, heading into the weekend with three goals while Isaiah Carrillo paces the team with two assists. Freshman JD Ellis has been doing the bulk of the work in goal, owning a 2.25 goals against average with 21 saves.