TACOMA, Wash. - The two-time defending Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team will open conference play this weekend on Saturday against Whitworth University and Whitman College on Sunday at East Field. The Lutes, 1-2-1 in non-conference play are confident in the experience they have gained from the games they have played. Last weekend the Lutes played the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Calvin College. 
 
Defensively the Lutes have shown strong performances in all games. Offensively the team has been pounding on the door but have simply not been able to get the production they'd like. Last Saturday, the Lutes broke through, scoring two goals to edge Mary Hardin-Baylor 2-1 for the first win of the season. 
 
The win was a result of senior Rachel Ross netting a goal off of a corner and sophomore Ellie Johnson taking a shot off of an assist by Liz Griffith in ann 11-minute span in the second half. 
 
"We have had some quality performances against some high caliber teams this preseason. I think the challenges we have faced will show in November. Each game has allowed us to grow stronger as a team," Johnson said. "As each player continues to step into their roles for the season, we will continue to improve. We will hit full stride when we need to."
 
Ellie Johnson, a sophomore on the team, knows what hitting full stride means. A student in the PLU School of Nursing, she knows all to well the balancing act of juggling being a student -athlete, weights, film, practice and games with clinical, labs, and classes. 

"This is a rigorous program which I am very lucky to be involved with. Playing soccer and going to nursing school is not an easy task between clinical, lab and classes."
 
Yet Johnson has managed to take every opportunity in front of her. Despite not having the minutes she had hoped for her freshman year, even from the start of her collegiate soccer experience, Johnson hit the ground running using that time to build on her skills and abilities as a soccer player. 
 
"Last year was definitely a growth year for me. I didn't travel with the team or get any minutes on the field. I think the hardest thing for me this year was having confidence in my skill and ability on the field after not getting the reward I wanted last year."
 
This season so far, Johnson credits her ability to easily adjust to her new role on the team to her teammates. "I just make sure I work hard at practice during the week and watch people like Rachel Ross who have been successful in my position. I am lucky to have role models to look up to. My teammates helped lift me up last weekend and I want to do the same for them."
 
Scoring her first goal last weekend was an experience for Johnson that will stay with her for more than just one season. "Scoring my first collegiate goal was really special with all of my teammates around me to celebrate. Liz Griffith's assist was textbook and was preceded by some spectacular play by my team. Everyone was so supportive of me. I could tell they were happy to watch me succeed. I will definitely remember that moment for the rest of my life."
 
As the Lutes prepare for opening conference Saturday, the team has a goal to come away from the weekend with two positive results. "But I think its more important for us to keep progressing like we have been. These two games aren't different than anything we've seen already,"Johnson said. "I am looking forward to seeing what we can do against some NWC teams. And where better to do it than on our home field."
 
Throughout the season, Ellie Johnson has her own goals. "I am looking to improve as a player and put my best effort out there."And that is what the team as a whole is trying to do this season. Every time the Lutes step on the field, it's another opportunity to improve and give full effort. 

Series History: The Lutes and Pirates have battled 54 times since 1989 with Whitworth holding a 28-20-6 edge in the all-time series. Last season the teams traded wins at home with the Pirates earning a 1-0 win in Spokane while the Lutes avenging the loss with a 2-0 win later in the season at East Field.

About the Lutes: Pacific Lutheran (1-1-2) was unbeaten last weekend in the first home dates of the season, utilizing a pair of late goals to secure the 2-0 win over Mary Hardin-Baylor before earning a 1-1 double overtime draw against Calvin in a physical match last Sunday. 

Goalkeeper Natalie Robinson made 14 saves over the weekend, nabbing NWC Defender of the Week honors for the second time in her career.

Sept. 15: PLU vs. Whitworth at East Field (12 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes and Pirates have battled 54 times since 1989 with Whitworth holding a 28-20-6 edge in the all-time series. Last season the teams traded wins at home with the Pirates earning a 1-0 win in Spokane while the Lutes avenging the loss with a 2-0 win later in the season at East Field.

About the Pirates: Whitworth (2-1-1) opened the season in Pennsylvania, downing Franklin & Marshall College 2-1 in double overtime before falling to perennial power Messiah College 4-0. Last weekend the Pirates tested themselves against a pair of NAIA opponents, earning a scoreless draw against the College of Idaho before edging Carroll College 2-1 in overtime. 

A different Pirate has scored every goal this season while all told, six Pirates have scored a point this season. 

Sept. 16: PLU vs. Whitman at East Field (12 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes and Blues have met on 68 occasions with PLU enjoying a commanding 45-16-7 edge in the all-time series. PLU swept the season series last year, prevailing 1-0 in Walla Walla and 4-1 at East Field.

About the Blues: Whitman (0-3-1) heads into conference play still searching for its first victory of the season. The Blues opened the season by falling 5-0 to the University of Chicago before earning a 1-1 draw against Illinois Institute of Technology. Last weekend, Whitman dropped a matches at the hands of NAIA opponents Carroll College (3-2 in double overtime) and College of Idaho (4-1). 

The Blues' four goals this season have come from four different goal scorers while eight total Whitman position players have logged a point in 2018.