TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team will venture to eastern Washington this weekend for Northwest Conference games against Whitman College and Whitworth University as they aim to bounce back after spitting the opening weekend of conference play at home. 

The Lutes (5-3, 1-1 NWC) will look to head to eastern Washington with a fresh start and new ideas as each game is an opportunity for improvement. The Lutes will begin their trip in Walla Walla where they will face off against Whitman on Saturday at noon, before traveling north to face off against the Pirates of Whitworth on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

The trip comes after spitting last weekend at East Field, falling 3-1 to Willamette University before edging LInfield College 1-0. 

Senior defender Chris Trussel is one of the leaders for the Lutes and is an active individual in pursuing his professional goals.

"I worked for Northwestern Mutual this last summer which is a financial planning firm that takes a holistic approach where I kinda got my feet wet and explored if that's the career I'd like to pursue in the future," said Trussel. "I definitely am thinking about a career in financial advising and something I think I would enjoy a lot because you really get to interact with people, more than sitting behind a desk while being an analyst."

The leadership that Trussel shows in the PLU Men's Soccer team is sure to transfer over to careers of the future, and the Lutes will thrive off of the leadership this weekend when they battle the Whit's as well.

Sept. 22: PLU at Whitman in Walla Walla, Wash. (12:00 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes hold a strong 49-12-2 overall record against the Blues. Last season the Lutes went 0-1-1 against the Blues with a 3-1 defeat at home and a 2-2 tie in Walla Walla.

About the Blues: Whitman enters this weekend with a 3-3 overall record. In the opening NWC weekend for the Blues they went 2-0 while shutting out both Pacific University 3-0 and George Fox University 2-0, both games being played on road in Oregon. Jacob Barsher leads the Blues in goals with two, as the team has five players who have found the back of the net. 

Sept. 23 PLU at Whitworth in Spokane, Wash. (2:30 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes hold a 24-30-9 overall record against the Pirates. Last season the Lutes went 1-0-1 against Whitworth, most recently winning 3-2 in dramatic fashion down in Spokane, scoring two goals in the final minutes to secure the victory.

About the Pirates: The Pirates are 3-4-1 overall and 2-0 in NWC play. On opening weekend the Pirates won 4-0 against George Fox and 2-1 in a tighter match against Pacific in Forest Grove. Drew Williams leads the Pirates attack scoring three goals while tallying a team high 14 shots along with Drew Wilson who also has three goals, along with six shots.