TACOMA, Wash. – Armed with plenty of talent, the Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team is seeking its fifth consecutive Northwest Conference title this fall, a feat never accomplished in the storied history of the program. 
 
With the loss of seven all-conference players and 15 letterwinners over the past two seasons, the Lutes will certainly have a different look since they ran through the Northwest Conference in the fall of 2019, when they outscored league opponents 33-4. 
 
It took some time, but the Lutes worked through some growing pains last spring as they started the season 0-2-1, but finished the schedule 6-1 and tied perennial Division II powerhouse Western Washington University in exhibition action late in the year. 
 
"The spring 2021 season was an awesome journey for us," said PLU Head Coach Seth Spidahl.  "We didn't start out great outcome wise although our "process" was pretty good on the field the first two games.  We changed our system of play last spring based on how our opponents were playing, which was a great learning experience for our program.  As 12 seniors exited after our last NWC game, we had a great result against Western with a very young team.  It certainly gave us hope and a bright outlook for the future."
 
Meghan Michels is the reigning NWC Offensive Player of the Year and is the top offensive threat in the entire conference.  She exploded in her first season in Tacoma in 2019, scoring 12 goals and adding five assists, while garnering all-region honors.  Vivian Shinall, Vera Panescu-Reich, Ashlee Gormley, Alyssa Leong and Alyssa Jordan all gained valuable playing time in the spring after limited previous experience.  Shinall scored three goals in the spring, while Panescu-Reich scored twice.
 
"Megs is working hard on her rehab and fitness from her ACL tear last fall," said Spidahl.  "We missed her during the spring season, but we are confident she will make a successful return at some point this year.  Her 'comeback' will be complete once she steps back out on the field, and we are all excited to coach and watch her play again."
 
Jordan and Kimber Thomas have been anointed team captains as well as junior Ellie Reardon.  Jordan has played in 34 games as a Lute, while Thomas has played in 41 and started all 10 matches last spring.  Reardon also started all 10 matches in the spring after playing in 10 matches as a freshman. 
 
"I always let the team choose their captains as I believe they need to have a say in it," said Spidahl.  "I would say the team got it spot on for this upcoming fall season.  These are certainly some new roles and responsibilities for Kimber, AJ, and Ellie, but that is what college soccer is about.  New leadership has to emerge."
 
Reardon will be calling the shots on the back line, but sophomores Ella Merte and Lily Dose got plenty of experience as freshman.  Merte led the team in minutes and the duo helped the Lutes shutout eight opponents in the spring. Classmate Joelle Buck and junior Keila Kruse should also see plenty of time defensively.  In goal, the Lutes will be inexperienced as senior Calie Rose has logged 27 minutes in goal, while junior Shaylin Cesar.  In the preseason, freshman Eva Wirth has seen most of the action.
 
"Lute fans are going to like our freshmen class," said Spidahl.  "Hannah Cecil, Julia Causbie, Kayden Hulquist, and Eva Wirth have all made an immediate impact on our program...and there is more depth within that class as well.  When you couple that with a super sophomore class, there is a lot of bright young talent in our program right now.  However, we don't use being young as an excuse.  In soccer you can be impactful no matter what your age is, that is how our sport goes.  If you are good, you are good.  GO LUTES!"
 
The Lutes kickoff the non-conference schedule with a trip to America's Dairyland this week.  PLU will play at Milwaukee School of Engineering on Wednesday and Concordia University (Wis.) on Friday.  The Lutes will host Whitworth University and Whitman College on September 18 and 19 to begin the NWC slate.  PLU will head to University of Puget Sound on Wednesday, October 6 and host the rival Loggers on Wednesday, November 3.