TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team hits the halfway point of the Northwest Conference season on Saturday with the two-time defending champion Lutes welcoming NWC leading Willamette University to East Field.
 
The Lutes (6-3-2, 5-2 NWC) are back at home after a five-game road swing that saw the Lutes compile a 4-1 record, outscoring opponents 8-2 during that stretch. Ellie Johnson tallied four of PLU's eight goals during that stretch, securing NWC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. The Lutes also saw significant contributions from Liz Griffith (two goals, one assist) and Leah Magee (two assists). 
 
The road swing saw the Lute defense pitch three shutouts with keeper Natalie Robinson now owning six clean sheets this season. Despite the success, the Lutes will be hungry for redemption against the league leading Bearcats after falling 1-0 to crosstown rival University of Puget Sound on Thursday to wrap up the grueling road trip. It was a game that PLU dominated statistically, outshooting the hosts 18-5 and holding an 11-2 edge in shots on goal.
 
It will be a short homestand for the Lutes, playing just one game this weekend before heading across the state next weekend to face the Whits. The silver lining for PLU is the back end of the schedule has five of the final six games at East Field, a venue that the Lutes own an incredible 44-3-5 record in games played on the artificial surface since the 2013 season. 

Oct. 6: PLU vs. Willamette at East Field (12 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Bearcats have met 76 times on the pitch with PLU holding a slim 36-35-5 edge in the all-time series. 
 
About the Bearcats: Willamette (9-0-1, 5-0-1 NWC) heads to Tacoma riding a five game win streak and sits atop the NWc standings as the only team that hasn't suffered a loss this season.
 
Willamette's lone non-win was a 2-2 double overtime draw in the NWC opener against Linfield College. Since then, the Bearcats have ripped off five straight, outscoring the opposition by a 9-1 margin during that stretch, including 2-0 wins last weekend against Whitworth University and Whitman College. 
 
Shanna Keil is WU's top offensive weapon, leading the team in goals (five), assists (four), and points (14). Gea Main and Sydney Wilson each have three goals while 13 total Bearcats have scored a point this season.