TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer squad opens the second half of Northwest Conference play over the weekend, trekking to eastern Washington to face Whitworth University and Whitman College, 

The Lutes (6-3-3, 5-2-1 NWC) closed out the opening swing of league play with a 1-1 draw against conference leader Willamette University. That game saw Phoebe Bunn net her first collegiate goal as the Lutes' salvaged a 1-1 draw against the Bearcats, keeping PLu's hopes of a third consecutive league title alive. 

Statistically, Ellie Johnson ranks fourth in the NWC ion goals scored, finding the back of the net on six occasions while Leah Magee has netted a league high 46 shots on goal. Defensively, Natalie Robinson continues to perform at a high level, ranking second in the NWC in goals against average (0.55) and third in save percentage (.851). PLU hopes to continue this trend over the weekend, avenging a one goal setback to Whitworth while replicating the success in a dominating win over Whitman on home soil. 

Oct. 13: PLU vs. Whitworth in Spokane, Washington (12 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Pirates have battled 55 times since 1989 with Whitworth holding a 29-20-6 edge in the all-time series. Whitworth took the first meeting this season, prevailing 1-0 on Sept. 15, snapping a 22-match unbeaten streak at East Field for the Lutes. 
 
About the Pirates: Whitworth (7-2-3, 5-1-2 NWC) heads into the weekend in second place in the league standings and is unbeaten in its last three games. The Pirates earned 2-1 victories over both Linfield College and George Fox University before battling to a scoreless stalemate against Lewis & Clark College last Sunday.
 
Coby Yoshimura leads the team in both goals (four) and points (nine) and is one of 11 players to register a point this season for Whitworth. Molly Webster has been a stalwart in goal for the Pirates, boasting a 0.93 goals against average with 53 saves and three shutouts. 
 
Oct. 14: PLU vs. Whitman in Walla Walla, Washington (12 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Blues have met on 69 occasions with PLU enjoying a commanding 46-16-7 edge in the all-time series. The first meeting this season was a 3-0 Lute victory with Tasha Tennyson scoring a goal in each half. 
 
About the Blues: Whitman (3-8-1, 3-5 NWC) was winless in its opening seven games of the season but has found its stride as of late, winning three of its last five. That includes a sweep at home last weekend, downing Lewis & Clark 3-0 before edging George Fox 4-3 in overtime on Sunday.
 
Sofia Ellington has been a scoring threat all season, leading the team in goals (seven), assists (three), and points (17). Rene van Bergeijk has three goals to her name while Camille Marshall has found the back of the net twice in 2018.
 
Three keepers have seen time in net for the Blues with Elly Wolfe seeing a majority of the action, making 38 saves on the season with a 2.76 goals against average.