TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran men's soccer team returns to East Field on Saturday as they close out Northwest Conference play against the crosstown rivals University of Puget Sound at 1:30 p.m.

The Lutes (13-4-2, 9-2-2 NWC) put themselves on top of the NWC for the first time this season as they went down to Oregon last weekend and coming away with a 3-1 win over Linfield College, and a 1-1 double overtime tie against Willamette University. The Lutes have an opportunity to finish the season on top and earn a second straight NWC title, and the possibility of earning themselves an opportunity to go to the NCAA Division III Tournament the following weekend.

There are eight seniors that will be honored for the Lutes as it is the final home match for the Lutes. A four-year Lute, Spencer Hokama, had this to say about what being a part of the PLU men's soccer team has meant to him.

"For me it's mostly about the relationships, because I have made teammates and friends that I will keep in touch with and will be with for the rest of my life. Another thing that this program gave me were the countless amounts of life lessons I have learned along the way. I have lots of favorite moments on this team, but anytime anyone has scored a goal and ran over to the sideline to celebrate, have been my favorite times to be a Lute."

Another senior, Chris Trussel, had more to say about his experience being a Lute.

"Being a Lute has been a great experience, it has taught me how to really be a part of a team, how to focus more on the group and less so on the individual because we care greatly about being there for each other as a group. My favorite memory from this team this year was when Nick Brundage scored against Pacific University and John Yorke jumped on the sideline with the craziest celebration I've ever seen."

Hokama, Trussel, and the rest of the seniors have posted a 49-22-7 overall record over the past four seasons and will be looking for their 50th career win this Saturday in the season finale with UPS.

Nov. 3: PLU vs. Puget Sound at East Field (1:30 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes and Loggers have met 67 times on the soccer pitch with Puget Sound holding a 35-26-6 advantage in the all-time series.

About the Loggers: Puget Sound (8-5-4, 6-3-4 NWC) heads to East Field having won its last three games and going unbeaten over the last six (4-0-2). The Loggers streak including rallying from a 2-0 deficit last Sunday to down Linfield 3-2.

Luke Murdock leads the Loggers in both goals (nine) and points (21). Sean Hamel paces the team in assists with eight while Cale Spence and Dane Schatz both have five goals on the 2018 season.

Wren Norwood has handled the bulk of the goalkeeping duties, making 54 saves and collecting three shutouts with a 1.17 goals against average.