TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team will look extend its five-game win streak this weekend as they travel back down to Oregon to take on George Fox University in Newberg and Willamette University in Salem.
 
The Lutes (6-1-1, 4-0 NWC) traveled south last weekend to Oregon, as they took on Lewis & Clark College (3-4-1) in Portland and Pacific University (2-5) in Forest Grove. The Lutes came out on top in both of their matches, defeating Lewis & Clark 2-0 and Pacific 4-0. This marks a five-game winning streak for the Lutes recording a clean sheet in all five of those games, outscoring opponents 13-0. 
 
"As a team we really gave our all this weekend to get two more wins against Lewis & Clark and Pacific," said junior defender Emma Hunter who was named the NWC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. "We just talked about staying focused and being the best version of our team regardless of who we were playing. Getting a shutout is always something to be proud of as a team. I play defense so whenever we get a shutout it's a great feeling, especially when it's five games in a row!"
 
Hunter is looking to translate her commanding performance on the field into the classroom as she enters her third year at PLU. 
 
"I'm a junior and I'm majoring in nursing. After I graduate, I'm hoping to work as an ICU nurse. My older cousin is a nurse and one time when I was with her, she helped these people who had gotten in a car accident and that really inspired me to want to help others as well!"
 
As a junior, Hunter has already made many memories over her years at PLU which she enjoys reminiscing. 
 
"My favorite memory so far would be when we went to England before my sophomore year, where we got to play some English teams and see some of the famous stadiums in England. It was such a fun and unique experience that most teams don't get to do!"
 
Outside of school and soccer, Hunter has many hobbies and activities that keep her busy including hanging out with teammates.
 
"School and soccer take up the majority of my time, but when I'm free I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love hanging out with the girls on the team, and our team chemistry this year is really good! We've been focusing on building relationships and being positive with one another."
 
With a big road trip coming up this weekend, the Lutes are training hard and working on concepts in practice to come out on top in Oregon.
 
"Our coach has instilled in us the importance of treating every game as a big game. We plan to continue working toward another weekend of wins in Oregon by preparing on and off the field this week. Overall, I'm really looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season has in store for my team. We have so much potential this year and I can't wait to see how we develop!"
 
Hunter and the team look to set themselves apart atop the NWC standings this weekend as they travel down south for two important games against George Fox University and Willamette University. 
 
Oct. 5: PLU vs. George Fox in Newberg, Oregon (12 p.m.)
 
Series History: PLU has dominated the Bruins since the series' first began during the 1991 season, enjoying a 34-15-3 advantage. The Lutes have won 14 straight, including 2-0 and 1-0 victories last season. 
 
About the Bruins: George Fox (3-3-1, 1-3 NWC) has gotten conference play off to a rocky start, being shutout in three of its four league games. GFU's lone victory was a 3-1 win at the expense of Whitman College on Saturday before falling 3-0 to Whitworth University the following day.
 
Maggee Hodgdon has been the Bruins' top offensive weapon with three goals on the season. Between the posts, Annalisa Klein has logged the majority of minutes, making 20 saves with a 1.48 goals against average. 
 
Oct. 6: PLU vs. Willamette in Salem, Oregon (12 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Bearcats have met 78 times since 1981 with the Lutes holding a razor thin 37-35-6 edge in the all-time series. Last season the teams battled to a 1-1 draw in Tacoma before PLU claimed a 4-2 victory in the season finale in Salem. 
 
About the Bearcats: Willamette (5-3-1, 4-0-1 NWC) has posted shutouts in three of its first five conference games to start the slate unbeaten. The Bearcats' lone tie in league play was a scoreless draw at home against the University of Puget Sound on Sunday. Willamette rebounded with a 2-1 overtime win against Lewis & Clark College on Wednesday.
 
Shanna Keil leads the team with four goals while Kristen Barclay has a team-best 27 saves in goal with a 0.94 goals against average.