TACOMA, Wash. - The two-time defending Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team looks to carry momentum into the weekend as they start its conference slate and play host to George Fox University and Pacific University at East Field.
 
Last weekend the Lutes (3-3) traveled to Santa Cruz, California to face-off against University of California- Santa Cruz and Chapman University. The team fell in the first game 2-0 to UCSC on two opening half goals, before cruising to a 4-0 win in their second game against Chapman, with both freshman Zak Gregg and senior Jackson Moore scoring braces for the team.
 
"After a frustrating result on Friday we really had to come together and make the decision to be decisive in our actions, which is really what let us down against UCSC," said senior Jackson Moore. "Sunday's win was a great look at what this team is capable of and the expectation that we have of ourselves."
 
As a senior, Moore has really enjoyed his time at PLU and all the memories he has made with his coaches and teammates.
 
"One thing I am grateful for is that this program has given me many unforgettable memories over the years from last minute winners and conference titles to all the little things that happen every day with the guys. But my favorite memory so far has been playing in the National Tournament."
 
Traveling on the road with the team is also one of Moore's highlights of his collegiate soccer career, as it brings so many fun opportunities.
 
"Being able to test ourselves against top programs around the country and the memories and growth we experience together, is definitely my favorite part about traveling with the team"
 
As Moore enters his senior year at PLU, he is working hard on the academic side to get his college degree.
 
"I'm a Kinesiology major with the intention of applying to physical therapy school. I got my start down this road because my mother is a physical therapist and I have personally been through physical therapy on a few occasions."
 
Outside of the demands of college athletics and academics, Moore enjoys playing basketball and video games with his friends.
 
As a upperclassman on the team, Moore and the other seniors are looking to build a strong chemistry and foundation with the underclassmen for this season.
 
"It really is like a brotherhood. It is pretty special to be able to look to your left and your right and know that those guys have each other's backs."
 
Moore and the Lutes are eager to start conference play strong as they host George Fox University on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and Pacific University on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. 
 
"I am most looking forward to consistently competing towards a third straight conference championship in our training sessions and being able to showcase that hard work in our games. Our last game has really set the standard for what we expect from ourselves both in our performance and our effort. We still have a lot of improving to do but it is good to enter conference play with confidence."
 
Sept. 21: PLU vs. George Fox at East Field (2:30 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes have dominated the all-time series that first began in 1990, enjoying a 42-9-1 edge in the series, including winning the last 19 meetings. 
 
About the Bruins: George Fox (3-2-1) got the season off to a sluggish start, dropping its opening two games of the year but has been unbeaten since, downing University of La Verne 2-1, salvaging a scoreless draw against Occidental College and claiming a 1-0 win over California Lutheran University.

GFU's four goals this season have each come off the boot of a different player while Cole Bautista has set up two of the team's goals this year. Sebastian Lopez has been the Bruins' keeper, making 33 saves with a 0.63 goals against average.
 
Sept. 22: PLU vs. Pacific at East Field (2:30 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Boxers are meeting for the 67th time with PLU enjoying a 48-14-4 edge in the all-time series. The last four meetings have been won by the Lutes, including a 2-1 win in Tacoma and a 1-0 win in Forest Grove, Oregon. 
 
About the Boxers: Pacific (1-3-1) has found success at home but is still searching for its first victory of the year away from Forest Grove.
 
The Boxers earned a scoreless draw with Oregon Institute of Technology in the home opener before taking down La Verne 1-0 to cap off the homestand on Sept. 8. Pacific's performance on the road has been a different story, being outscored 13-1 in non-conference defeats at the hands of Occidental, Chapman University, and Division II Saint Martin's University.
 
Woodey Greer and Mitch Takara have tallied the Boxers'  two goals on the year with Robert Nurmi assisting on both. In goal, Jack Cuevas has logged a majority of the work with 18 saves and a 1.81 goals against average in 348 minutes of action.