TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team returns to action Friday, playing its home opener against Brooklyn College on the artificial turf at East Field. Following this game, the Lutes will travel south down to California where they will finish off their non-conference schedule, battling the University of Redlands, and Chapman University.

The Lutes are coming off of a hot start, where they posted stout defensive efforts in all three games during their trip in Wisconsin, and coming home boasting a 3-0 record to kick off the year.

"The trip was a very fun one because off the field our team chemistry is really good. Over the years (Head Coach) John Yorke has done a great job at not only recruiting good soccer players, but recruiting good people, and I think that we really enjoy each other both on and off the field," said senior Ben Blakely.

"So I think just being a part of that community and brotherhood is what made it most enjoyable"

Outside of soccer, Blakely has proved to be an outstanding member of the PLU community,

"This summer I volunteered in a rehab department at Good Samaritan hospital  where I worked with people who were recovering from serious issues such as learning how to walk again. This made me much more thankful for the opportunity to play a sport in college."

The Lutes hope to continue to post a perfect record going into next weekend where they begin Northwest Conference play and will look to defend their league title

Sept. 7: PLU vs. Brooklyn at East Field (2:30 p.m.)

Series History: This is the first all-time meeting between the Lutes and the Bulldogs.

About the Bulldogs: Brooklyn (0-3) heads to the West Coast searching for its first win of the season after getting outscored 13-0 in its opening three contests of the year.
The Bulldogs opened the season with a 2-0 setback to Kean University before stumbling 8-0 at the hands of Montclair State University. Brooklyn was back on the pitch on Wednesday night, falling 3-0 at the hands of Farmingdale State University.

Sept. 9: PLU vs. Redlands in Redlands, Calif. (5 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes and the Bulldogs have battled to a 1-1 record overall, with PLU getting the edge in the last match they played in 2014

About the Bulldogs: Redlands enters this weekend with an 0-1 record, with their only game of the season being a 2-1 loss to Vanguard University which saw a goal in the final second of the first overtime period sealing the Bulldogs' fate.

Sept. 10: PLU vs. Chapman in Orange, Calif. (2 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes and Chapman have battled to a 1-1-1 record, where the last meeting lead to a tie in 1989.

About the Panthers: Chapman enters this weekend with a 2-1 record, with wins against NWC opponent Whitman College in a 3-2 shootout which saw Chapman scoring three consecutive goals to seal the win, along with a 4-0 victory against Whittier College which saw a three-goal explosion in the second half.