TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team will look to extend its nine-game win streak this weekend as they travel to eastern Washington to face-off against the Pirates of Whitworth University and the Blues of Whitman College.
 
Last weekend, the Lutes (10-1-1, 8-0 Northwest Conference) stretched their win-streak to nine straight games, marking their longest win-streak in 27 years. The team defeated Linfield College at home 1-0, thanks to an eighth minute shot from the center of the box by junior forward Tasha Tennyson. This game also recorded the eighth clean sheet in the last nine games for the Lutes, cementing their defensive domination in the conference.
 
Although the Lutes could not capitalize and connect on a second goal, the 1-0 score line proved to be enough to take the win from the Wildcats. PLU edged Linfield in all important statistical categories, including 15 shots to three shots, six shots on target to one shot on target, 10 corner kicks to four corner kicks, and requiring the Linfield keeper to make five saves.
 
This achievement of clean sheets is in large part due to the stellar performances of junior goalkeeper Ashton Huppert who has made 13 saves so far this season, while playing over 539 minutes without conceding a goal. The defense of the Lutes has only allowed three goals on the season so far, with an incredible 0.25 goals per game average.
 
The Lutes' nine-game win streak has offered many players a chance to contribute. Senior forward Leah Magee has recorded seven goals and four assists to date on the season, having also won Northwest Conference Player of the Week this week. In addition, first-year forward Meghan Michels has proved invaluable for the Lutes, scoring seven goals and providing five assists on the season thus far.
 
The Lutes will look to ride their momentum this upcoming weekend as they head to eastern Washington to play Whitworth University on Saturday at 12 p.m. and Whitman on Sunday at 12 p.m. 
 
Oct. 19: PLU vs. Whitworth in Spokane, Washington (12 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Pirates have clashed 57 times on the pitch with PLU trailing the all-time series 29-22-6. The two teams last met on Sept. 21 with the Lutes cruising to the 4-0 win in the conference opener at East Field.  
 
About the Pirates: Whitworth (3-8-1, 2-5-1 NWC) was picked as one of the preseason favorites but has struggled in the first half of the conference slate. Last weekend the Pirates fell 1-0 in overtime to Willamette University before snapping a three-match winless streak on Sunday with a 2-0 decision over Lewis & Clark College.
 
10 Pirates have registered a point this season with Jadyn Baumgartner leading the way with three goals and one assist. In goal, Isabelle Arends has logged a majority of the minutes, making 36 saves with a 1.78 goals against average. 
 
Oct. 20: PLU vs. Whitman in Walla Walla, Washington (12 p.m.)
 
Series History: The all-time series is tilted 48-16-7 in favor of the Lutes, having won the last five games against the Blues. PLU prevailed 2-0 in the last meeting on Sept. 22 at East Field. 
 
About the Blues: Whitman (1-10, 1-7 NWC) looks to snap a five-game slide. The Blues downed Whitworth 4-3 in a wild two-overtime affair back on September 25 but have come up empty-handed ever since, including a pair of 1-0 defeats against Lewis & Clark and Willamette last weekend. 
 
Sofia Ellington and Pagan Hetherington are the Blues' top scorers, each with two goals and one assist on the season. Whitman has started three different keepers in net with Elly White spending the most time between the posts with 25 saves in 329 minutes of action.