TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team is gearing to begin its final homestand of the season this weekend, welcoming Northwest Conference rivals George Fox University and Linfield College to East Field for the first of five consecutive home matches. 
 
The Lutes (8-3-3) are entering the weekend with a 7-2-1 record in conference, and are also enjoying a three-game unbeaten run (2-0-1) after earning a pair of 2-0 victories last weekend against Whitworth University and Whitman College. This puts the Lutes in third place overall in the Northwest Conference, behind crosstown rival University of Puget Sound in second and Willamette University sitting at the top of the table. The Lutes are looking to close the gap over the final six games of the season to capture the program's third consecutive NWC title. 
 
"I would definitely have to say that the dedication we have to each other and the team is what sets us apart," said junior Leah Magee.  "I don't know anyone on the team who would not want to be there during practices or in our team room before games. If we didn't support each other the way we do we would not be able to grow and succeed."
 
After netting both game-winning goals over the weekend and earning NWC Offensive Player of the Week, Magee is looking to bring that momentum forward for herself and the rest of her teammates.
 
"I would say that the only way my personal success has impacted everyone would be that I can provide some extra experience on the field. I don't want to associate my individual success as anything more than the result of the effort of the team behind me," said Magee.
 
"On the other hand I believe that the success I've had in building relationships with players on the team has been the most beneficial. Both on and off the field the success of the team has played a role in my personal growth as well as becoming more confident."
 
With that attitude in mind, Magee thinks the Lutes will have a shot at a postseason run.  
 
"I just hope we keep up the attitude and effort all the way to post-season. If the effort stays the same it won't matter who we play."
 
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. George Fox at East Field (12 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes have dominated the all-time series, holding a 33-15-3 edge, including winning the last 13 encounters. PLU downed George Fox 2-0 back on Sept. 22, getting first half goals from Liz Griffith and Alyssa Carter.  
 
About the Bruins: George Fox (3-7-2, 1-7-2 NWC) heads to Tacoma winless in its last nine games (0-7-2). Last weekend the Bruins snapped a five game skid with a 0-0 double overtime draw on the road against Pacific University before stumbling 2-1 the following day at Linfield. 
 
Savannah Moisan leads the team in scoring with three goals while Michala Denn has a team-best two assists. Annalisa Klein has logged a majority of the minutes in goal, owning a 1.18 goals against average with 43 saves on the season.
 
Oct. 21: PLU vs. Linfield at East Field (12 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Wildcats have met on 69 occasions with PLU enjoying a 45-22-2 advantage in the all-time series, including winning the last four matches. The Lutes won the first meeting this season back on Sept. 23 with Maddie Landreth scoring the game's lone goal in the 49th minute. 
 
About the Wildcats: Linfield (7-3-4, 4-2-4 NWC) heads into the weekend with a four game unbeaten streak (2-0-2). The Wildcats fell 2-1 to Whitworth on Sept. 30 before picking up wins over Pacific (5-0) and George Fox (2-1) and battling to draws against both Puget Sound (0-0) and Willamette (1-1).
 
Sydney Kuehn is the Wildcats' top goalscorer, finding the back of the net six times in 2018 while Madi Reimer is Linfield's top keeper, making 49 saves with a 0.68 goals against average.