TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team returns to action this weekend, hosting Northwest Conference rivals Whitworth University and Whitman College at East Field.  
 
The Lutes (11-4, 7-2 NWC) are riding a five-game win streak into this weekend, and will look to close the gap on Willamette University for first place in the NWC. Last weekend the Lutes went down to Oregon and returned with two vital shutout wins against Pacific University and George Fox University.
 
RJ Noll played all 180 minutes for the Lutes on the weekend and posted two straight shutouts earning him NWC Defensive Player of the Week. He became the second Lute goalkeeper to win the award after Cole Weaver was recognized on Sept. 4.
 
"It was a great effort by the whole team, and if we are smart and sharp defensively there is no reason we can't do it again this weekend," said Noll. 
 
The long season calls for a grind it out attitude from the Lutes, and they are going to be answering the call as they continue the back half of NWC play. 
 
"What motivates me to play is wanting to prove to everyone that I am the best and that I am going to be constantly pushing to be a better player on the field. "
 
Away from the pitch, Noll is an economics major. He plans on joining the State Police after graduation with aspirations to become a K9 officer.
 
Socktober: The PLU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is collecting socks at all home events throughout the month of October. Donated socks will be sent to the Tacoma Rescue Mission in time for the holidays. 
 
Oct. 20: PLU vs. Whitworth at East Field (2:30 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes hold a 24-31-9 overall record against the Pirates. PLU will be looking for redemption after falling 3-0 to the Pirates on Sept. 23 in Spokane.
 
About the Pirates: Whitworth (4-8-3, 3-4-2 NWC) had its fortunes reversed after the PLU win in Spokane, going winless (0-4-1) since.
 
The Pirates fell 3-1 to Linfield last Saturday before snapping a four game slide with a 1-1 draw against Willamette University.
 
Drew Williams is the Pirates' most potent offensive threat, leading the team in both goals (five) and points (11). Azzam Azzam is the team's leader in assists with three on the season.
 
Jesus Nunez has seen the most action in goal, playing in 12 games and owning a 1.46 goals against average with 56 saves.
 
Oct. 21: PLU vs. Whitman at East Field (2:30 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes enjoy a 50-12-2 record against the Blues in the all-time series. The teams last met on Sept. 22 in Walla Walla with Rainier Schlekewey providing the game's lone goal in the 42nd minute to give PLU the 1-0 win.
 
About the Blues: Whitman (7-6, 6-3 NWC) heads to Tacoma having won four of its last six matches. That stretch includes steamrolling Linfield College twice by a combined 10-1 scoreline. 
 
Whitman features a balanced scoring attack with 13 players scoring goals this season and 15 total players with at least a point. Peter Stephens leads the bunch with four goals while Oscar Harding has a team-best five assists. 
 
Matt Reich and Owen Davis-Bower have shared time in goal for the Blues, combining for 33 saves. and two shutouts.