TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team will return to action this weekend, looking to bounce back from splitting games in eastern Washington by welcoming George Fox University and Pacific University to East Field.
 
It will be a pair of noon starts for the Lutes, facing George Fox on Saturday and Pacific on Sunday. 
 
PLU (6-4, 2-2 Northwest Conference) started last weekend by topping Whitman College in a strong 1-0 victory, but the Lutes fell at the hands of Whitworth University 3-0 the next day. Rainier Schlekewey provided the game winner off a feed from Jaisen Zurfluh who leads the team with three assists on the season. 
 
A native of nearby University Place, Washington, Zurfluh spent a significant amount of time overseas in Moscow, Russia prior to attending PLU. 
 
"I lived in Russia from 8th grade until 12th grade, and unlike a bunch of the guys on my team here, I didn't play "club" like they did. I had the opportunity to play for an academy team there but I chose not to and focus more on school, which is part of the reason I chose PLU so that I could have an even balance of academics and athletics," said Zurfluh.
 
Among the many adjustments to living in Russia was adjusting to a different style of play. 
 
"The play style in Russia is very different as it is very aggressive, and I feel that really helped me learn how to play through that style."
 
The experiences in Russia have arguably made Zurfluh a better player. Zurfluh and the rest of the Lutes look to protect their home turf this weekend with George Fox and Pacific coming to town.
 
Sept. 29: PLU vs. George Fox at East Field (12 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes and Bruins have battled 50 times on the pitch with PLU owning a commanding 40-9-1 advantage in the all-time series, including winning the last 17 meetings. 
 
About the Bruins: George Fox (1-6-1, 0-3-1 NWC) won its season opener 4-1 over Multnomah University but it's been tough sledding since, going winless in the last seven games.
 
GFU surrendered two early scores in a 2-1 setback to Willamette University last Saturday before playing to a 1-1 double overtime stalemate against Linfield College.
 
The Bruins feature a balanced offensive attack with seven total players scoring goals this season. Moises Manon leads the way with two goals while Isaiah Carrillo has one goal and a team-high two assists.

Sept. 30: PLU vs. Pacific at East Field (12 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes and Boxers have tangled 64 times since the 1980 season with PLU holding a commanding 46-14-4 edge in the all-time series.  
 
About the Boxers: Pacific (1-5-2, 0-3-1 NWC) heads into the weekend still searching for its first weekend of the conference slate, having been outscored 10-2 in the opening four games.
 
The Boxers earned a 1-1 draw against Linfield last Saturday before falling 4-0 at the hands of Willamette.
 
Robert Nurmi leads the Boxer attack with three of the team's six goals this season. Between the posts, Brock Jones has served as the primary keeper, making 13 saves on the season with a 1.10 goals against average.