TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team aims to continue its unbeaten streak at home this upcoming weekend as they host Northwest Conference rival University of Puget Sound in the anticipated cross-town clash at East Field.
 
Last weekend the Lutes (8-3-1, 5-0-1 NWC) hosted Linfield College and Willamette University in Tacoma. The Lutes started the weekend by defeating the Linfield 4-0 on Saturday, behind a brace by Keeton Heggerness, goals from Zak Gregg and Tresor Kadima, and a strong defensive performance for Head Coach John Yorke's 200th career win. On Sunday the team tied the Willamette Bearcats after double overtime, with Zak Gregg converting a equalizing penalty kick in the 73rd minute, and goalkeeper Cole Weaver recording eight saves.
 
"After a good weekend in eastern Washington we shifted our focus to the next games right away against Linfield and Willamette," said senior goalkeeper Cole Weaver. "We had a really good week of training and were mentally prepared for a really tough set of games."
 
Weaver stepped up big against the Bearcats recording eight saves on nine shots on target, allowing the Lutes to take a point from the game.
 
"My team in front of me has been extremely solid and limited the past 5 teams to just 11 shots on target. It felt good to be able to help my team when they needed me. As a group, we pride ourselves on our strong defense. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get all 6 points this weekend, but we feel good where we sit on the table and are preparing for UPS next weekend."
 
Just as the season is flying by, so is senior year for Weaver who has goals of finishing the season strong, graduating, and starting his career in business.
 
"The season goes by so fast and the school year is going to go by even faster. I'm looking forward to the trips to Oregon (particularly Willamette to take some points back), and I'm also looking forward to starting my career outside of soccer."
 
"I am a business management major. I spent a semester studying business and French in France with the intention of completing a French minor. Unfortunately, the scheduling didn't work out to complete that minor, but I am considering going back to France and join the fellowship program in Aix-en Provence for half a year and maybe I will complete it then. This depends on the job opportunities presented to me out of college though so we will see. I enjoy working on teams and feel they bring the best out of me. With a business major, you have such a wide variety of fields you can enter, and I like having those options."
 
Outside of soccer and academics, Weaver has many hobbies that he enjoys pursuing when time permits.
 
"I enjoy playing music, mainly guitar and drums. I'm kind of a car nerd and enjoy going to shows and events with my dad."
 
As a senior, Weaver has many memories throughout his athletic career at PLU, however one memory definitely stands out to him.
 
"Everyone loves a good comeback story. Last season we went down against UPS 3-1 at halftime. It was a season defining game that was a must win. We rallied in the second half and won 4-3. That win fueled us to winning the NWC and then traveling to Minnesota for nationals. It was a moment with the team that I will always remember."
 
Being undefeated in NWC is a great feeling for Weaver and the Lutes, and they will look to retain that feeling next weekend as they host UPS at home.
 
"It's a great feeling. There is a great focused energy throughout the team, and we are excited to maintain this momentum. This conference is so difficult, and we are all well aware of how much more work needs to be done to achieve our goal."
 
"For us the preparation begins with another good week of training before a good team over the weekend. Our mentality is that at our best, no team in this conference can beat us. We look to improve every single week and we will have 4 focused training sessions with a mission to get 3 points on Saturday."
 
The Lutes will face-off against crosstown rivals University of Puget Sound at home next Saturday October 12th, at 2:30 p.m. 
 
Oct. 12: PLU vs. Puget Sound at East Field (2:30 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Loggers have met 68 times with the series tilted 36-26-6 in favor of Puget Sound. The two teams split the season series last season with PLU prevailing 4-3 on the road and UPS winning 1-0 at East Field.
 
About the Loggers: Puget Sound (7-2-2, 4-2 NWC) makes the short trek across town riding a modest two game win streak. The Loggers blanked Willamette 2-0 last Saturday before edging Linfield 2-1 on Sunday.
 
The Loggers haven't lost in Tacoma this season, boasting a 6-0-1 record at home while owning a 0-2-1 in road matches.
 
Ange Herrera-Flores leads the Logger offense with six goals while Sean Hamel has been his partner in crime with a team-best five assists.
 
Goalkeeper Ethan Stern-Ellis leads the league in save percentage (.844) and goals against average (0.50) while notching 27 saves on the year.