TACOMA, Wash. - For the first time since 2011, the Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team is preparing for the NCAA Division III Championships with the Lutes heading to chilly Minnesota to take on host University of Saint Thomas on Saturday. 
 
The Lutes come into the game fresh off a successful regular season that concluded with a share of the programs second consecutive Northwest Conference title. The Lutes regular season record was 13-5-2, including a 9-3-2 mark in league play. The team had six players land on all-conference teams and head coach, John Yorke was named NWC Coach of the Year. 
 
Senior Spencer Hokoma talked about what it means to compete in the NCAA Tournament, 
 
"Our team takes pride in representing our school and everyone who has supported us throughout this season. Being able to travel and play in a competitive game is the reason we all play and love to be out there. We also can't wait to prove to east coast teams why we deserve to be in the tournament every year!"
 
"To prepare we've been focusing on what we were good at during the season and how to continue being effective as we move forward. We also had to focus on our mental approach as our schedules are different with the travel and different routine altogether. We expect to compete, have to overcome some hardships as a team, and most importantly win games this weekend."
 
The Lutes will face an experienced St. Thomas team as the Tommies appeared in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament last year and the semifinals in 2016. The winner of this game will advance to take on the winner of the Augsburg College vs. University of Wisconsin-Superior matchup.  
 
As a senior, Hokoma has a true understanding of everything that goes into a successful collegiate soccer team. "I appreciate all the hard work, commitment, and effort from every person who has been a part of this team. All of this wouldn't be possible with all the players, coaches, trainers, alumni, and parents that give so much to this program!"
 
Other players to keep an eye out for this weekend include first team all-conference seniors, Joe Sammartino and RJ Noll. Sammartino added nine goals to an already impressive resume this season. RJ Noll collected five shutouts for the Lutes this year and will look for continued success in the Minnesota. 
 
Lutes in the NCAA Tournament: This is just the second NCAA tournament appearance for the program and the four overall appearance in a national tournament. The Lutes qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2011, bowing out to the University of Redlands 4-1 in the opening round while making appearances at the NAIA National Tournament in both 1992 and 1994. 
 
Rest of the Field: The other side of the bracket features Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Champion UW-Superior (18-2-1) against at-large selection Augsburg (12-3-4). The Yellow Jackets head into the tournament riding a 14-game winning streak, capturing the UMAC Tournament title last Saturday with a 3-1 victory over College of Saint Scholastica. 
 
Augsburg advanced to the championship game of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament last Saturday, battling to a 1-1 tie before falling 4-3 on penalty kicks to Carleton College. 
 
Nov. 10: PLU vs. Saint Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota (9 a.m.)
 
Series History: This is the third all-time meeting between the Lutes and Tommies, having previously met in 2005 and 2009. The series is deadlocked at 1-1. Senior Chris Trussel is the lone current Lute with game experience against UST, having faced the Tommies as a freshman back in 2015 as a member of the soccer team at Saint Mary's University. 
 
About the Tommies: Saint Thomas (14-3-2, 7-2-1 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) is serving as the host institution for the opening two rounds and earned a bid to the tournament as an at-large selection. The Tommies head into Saturday's tilt riding an eight match unbeaten streak (7-0-1). St. Thomas tied Augsburg 0-0 in the quarterfinals of the MIAC Tournament before having their run come to a close as the Auggies advanced on penalty kicks.
 
Will Kidd is the Tommies' biggest offensive threat, leading the team in goals (nine), assists (six), and points (24). Jack Barry has seven goals to his name while 10 total Tommies have scored at least two goals on the year. 
 
In goal, Aidan Hogan has started 15 of the team's 19 games, boasting a 0.90 goals against average with 35 saves and five shutouts.