TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team will look to get back on the road this weekend with strong performances against Pacific University on Friday and George Fox University on Sunday.
 
Last weekend the Lutes (11-4-2, 8-1-2 Northwest Conference) experienced two entirely different game scripts, with PLU suffering its first setback in conference against Whitman College (12-5-0) on Saturday 2-0, before bouncing back and recording a 2-1 victory on Senior Sunday against Whitworth University (8-8-1). After falling in the first game of the weekend, the Lutes responded well on Sunday, with Keeton Heggerness converting a 21st minute penalty-kick and Ryan Klee heading in the eventual game-winner off a corner kick in the 61st minute.
 
"The team did a great job in being able to bounce back on Sunday against Whitworth after a disappointing loss the previous day," said senior Giovanni Brigola. " I think that is what makes us special because although we lost, we knew that Sunday was a must win game and we were able to collect our thoughts, know our what and our why, and move onto the next game."
 
The win against Whitworth was extra special for Brigola and the other seniors, as it caps off their great home careers.
 
"A win against Whitworth at any time of the season is a great feeling, but getting it done on Senior Day made the whole thing that much more special to me, the other seniors, and the rest of the team.  Whitworth came out hard and gave us a tough battle, but we were not about to lose that game especially with it being Senior Day and our performance the previous day."
 
As a senior, Brigola has many amazing memories over his time at PLU, with his favorite memory aligning with that of some of his other teammates.
 
"My favorite memory is getting when our team rallied from being down 3-1 at halftime against UPS at UPS and then coming back in the second half to win 4-3.  That was one crazy game which felt great to beat UPS at their stadium, and something that I will never forget as a player."
 
Brigola is working hard in his senior year at PLU to get a degree and graduate in spring of 2020.
 
"I will receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design.  After graduation I plan to hopefully continue my sports career in either football or soccer in or outside of the US while continuing a freelance Graphic design career."
 
"I have always had a passion for art and new/upcoming technology, but I was never really good at drawing or painting.  I took a graphic design course in high school and was hooked.  graphic design combines my two favorite areas into one and allows me to create while using crazy and wicked new technology."
 
Outside of academics and soccer, Brigola enjoys partaking in many different activities that keep him busy.
 
"Outside of school and soccer I enjoy riding my longboard on sunny days or skiing fresh powder on various mountains in the northwest.  I also indulge in surfing (in California of course) and playing video games with my friends and roommates."
 
With the season quickly approaching its conclusion, Brigola is looking forward to what the next few games will bring and the potential to win the NWC yet again.
 
"I am looking forward to hopefully winning the rest of our games this season and coming out on top of the NWC to send us to a second consecutive National Tournament appearance.  I am also looking forward to spending time with my teammates and friends and enjoy playing the game I love and know."
 
The Lutes are back in action this upcoming weekend as they travel to Oregon to play Pacific University on Friday, Nov. 1st at 7 p.m. and George Fox University on Sunday, Nov. 3rd at 2:30 p.m. 
 
"The best way for us to prepare for this weekend is to be mentally engaged throughout each training session.  We need to stay focused on our soccer and be ready for a battle against both teams this weekend in order to preserve our run for the NWC title this year."
 
Nov. 1: PLU vs. Pacific in Forest Grove, Ore. (7 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Boxers are meeting for the 68th time with PLU enjoying a 49-14-4 edge in the all-time series. The last five meetings have been won by the Lutes, including a 2-0 victory on East Field on Sept. 22. Archie Caldwell provided the game winner in the 40th minute before Keeton Heggerness provided an insurance score in the 73rd.
 
About the Boxers: Pacific (2-11-3, 1-8-2 NWC) earned a series split last weekend, downing Linfield College 2-0 before stumbling 2-1 to Willamette University last Sunday. The Boxers hit the road this weekend still searching for its first victory away from home, going 0-8-1 in road contests. 
 
Grant Rutledge is the Boxers' leader in both goals (three) and points (seven) while Nico Allen sits second on the team in goals with a pair of scores. Jack Cuevas is Pacific's primary keeper, making 55 saves with a 1.94 goals against average.
 
Nov. 3: PLU vs. George Fox in Newberg, Ore. (2:30 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes have dominated the all-time series that first began in 1990, enjoying a 43-9-1 edge in the series, including winning the last 20 meetings. The Lutes steamrolled the Bruins 5-0 back on Sept. 21 at East Field with Heggerness needing just 47 minutes to net a hat-trick. 
 
About the Bruins: George Fox (5-10-2, 2-8-1 NWC) snapped a four-match winless streak (0-3-1) on Sunday, edging Linfield 1-0 behind a 41st minute score from Solek Ashkinos. The goal was the Bruins' first in four games, getting blanked by Whitworth University (1-0), Whitman College (3-0), and Willamette University (1-0).
 
Ashkinos leads the Bruins in scoring with three goals on the season while Cole Bautista is the team's top distributor with two assists on the year. 
 
Sebastian Lopez has logged the most time in goal for the Bruins, making 50 saves in 793 minutes of action while Cole Benton has 36 saves in 584 minutes between the posts.