TACOMA, Wash. - The two-time defending Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team heads down to Salem, Oregon on Saturday to take on Willamette University for the final game of the regular season. After the Lutes Halloween game victory over the University of Puget Sound, PLU (12-3-4, 11-2-2 NWC) finds themselves in a tie atop the conference standings with Puget Sound.

Senior, Liz Griffith talked about the preparation that led to Wednesday's victory,

"We work hard on our process and pay attention to details. Our process in training all week, process in warm-ups, and our process during the game I believe was a big factor in our win on Wednesday. We have been playing the best we have all year, and it showed on Wednesday as we had phenomenal team defending and patient, but purposeful possession of the ball. This was an awesome team win for us in front of a great crowd."

It was Leah Magee that tipped the scales in favor of the Lutes on Wednesday, scoring in the 54th minute in what proved to be the lone goal of the game. 

Saturday's game holds postseason implications. With a victory over the Bearcats, the Lutes are guaranteed at least a share of their third conference championship. There are two scenarios that will allow the lutes to advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The first scenario would be a Lute win and a UPS loss/tie against Linfield College on Sunday. The second scenario would be a Lute tie and a UPS loss against Linfield.  

Griffith reflected on her experience as a Lute  and talked expectations for Saturday,

"Having the opportunity to be a Lute, and a member of the women's soccer team is something I will forever be grateful for. PLU has given me life long friends and the opportunity to continue playing soccer, all while receiving an amazing education. Going into my last guaranteed game as a Lute I couldn't be more excited to play with and for my best friends surrounding me on the field."

"I don't really have any expectations for Saturday's game against Willamette, as we can only worry about the things we can control; our effort and our attitude. But I know that every person will give it their all, whether that be playing on the field or encouraging their teammates from the sideline."

The Lutes look to make it three conference championships in a row as the regular season comes to an end on Saturday against Willamette.

Nov. 3: PLU vs. Willamette in Salem, Oregon (11 a.m.)

Series History: The Lutes and Bearcats have met 77 times on the pitch with PLU holding a slim 36-35-6 edge in the all-time series. The two last met on Oct. 6 at East Field, battling to a 1-1 draw. Shanna Keil put WU up 1-0 in the 58th minute while Phoebe Bunn leveled the score in the 75th minute off an assist from Ellie Johnson. 

About the Bearcats: Willamette (11-3-4, 7-3-4 NWC) was unbeaten in its opening 10 matches of the NWC season (7-0-3) but have had a bit of the wind taken out of its sails of late, going winless (0-3-1) since. The Bearcats fell short on the road against Puget Sound (2-1), George Fox University (2-1), and Whitworth University (2-0) before netting a 1-1 draw against Whitman College last Sunday. Shanna Keil and Gena Main lead the team in goals with seven apiece. Keil additionally paces the team in both assists (six) and points (20). In goal, Kristen Barclay has started every game in goal, making 59 saves and posting six shutouts.