TACOMA, Wash. - The defending Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team hits the halfway point of the season tomorrow afternoon, making the short drive across town to face nemesis University of Puget Sound in the first leg of the Battle of the South Sound.
 
The Lutes (8-4, 4-2 NWC) have found their stride as of late, winning four of the last five, including a sweep last weekend at East Field. PLU pummeled George Fox University 7-1 to open the weekend, getting a pair of scores from both Emmanuel Saah and Spencer Hokama before utilizing a pair of late scores to secure the 2-1 win over Pacific University. 
 
Joe Sammartino emerged as the hero against Pacfiic, scoring the game-winner in the 89^thminute. It was the senior's team leading sixth goal of the season. Sammartino currently ranks second in the NWC in both goals and points (14). On the other end of the field, goalkeeper RJ Noll leads the conference in saves with 39 while sitting fourth in the NWC in goals against average (1.24). 
 
Oct. 5: PLU vs. Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash. (3:30 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Loggers have met 66 times with Puget Sound holding a 35-25-6 edge in the all-time series. Last season the Lutes downed the Loggers 1-0 at East Field on Oct. 7 but the Loggers got the last laugh, earning a 1-0 win on Nov. 4 in the final game of the regular season.
 
About the Loggers: Puget Sound (4-4-2, 2-2-2 NWC) was unbeaten last weekend, posting a pair of shutouts at home. The Loggers battled to a 0-0 double overtime stalemate against Pacific University on Saturday before downing George Fox University 2-0 on Sunday. Puget Sound has been a tough squad to face on their home turf, owning a 4-1-1 record in Tacoma with their lone loss a 2-0 setback to Willamette University on Sept. 16.
 
Luke Murdock is the Loggers' top offensive threat, pacing the team in goals (five) and points (12). Dane Schatz and Sean Hamel lead the team in assists, each tallying three while a total of 14 Loggers have registered a point this season.