TACOMA, Wash. --- The Pacific Lutheran University Women's Soccer team (10-1-3, 9-0-1 NWC) earned a scoreless draw across town against rival Puget Sound on Wednesday, but still takes the season series 1-0-1 from the Loggers.
 
After a slew of throw-ins by each team, the Loggers fired the first shot of the game in the 19^th-minute, but reigning All-Northwest Conference goalkeeper Abby Winkler made the save. Senior forward Hannah Cecil had the first attempt for the Lutes minutes later, but missed the target high.
 
The defensive units for both squads held tough for the entire half, as just three shots were taken by each team in the half. The two teams sitting atop the Northwest Conference standings remained tied after the first 45-minutes of play, with Cecil and Olivia Olson taking the shots for the Lutes; Olson had the only on-goal shot in the half.
 
Puget Sound controlled the possession coming out of the break, taking a pair of shots in the first ten-minutes, but Winkler held the scoreless match at 0-0. The Lutes were forced to play strong defense for the majority of the second half in order to keep the Loggers in check. Senior Julia Causbie had a pair of corner kicks, but the Lutes were unable to get a shot off. The Loggers held senior Hannah Cecil in check for the entire second half. The final attempt of the game came in the 78^th minute for the Loggers, but missed the target.
 
The Lutes remain undefeated in the Northwest Conference and comfortably sit atop the standings with five games remaining on the schedule. Cecil and Olson had one shot a piece in the game, with Olson's the lone attempt on-goal. Junior goalkeeper Abby Winkler made four saves in route to earning the shutout.
 
"It was a typical battle in October between UPS and PLU. I was proud of our team and the way they defended and fought. They showed great character although it wasn't our best soccer day. They have a very difficult place to play, and the change in surface doesn't necessarily fit our style of play. But I was proud of the team for doing what they needed to do to get a point, because sometimes along the journey you have to find a way to play a little differently." Said Head Coach Seth Spidahl following Wednesday's game.
 
"[I'm] Proud of the character they showed, even though we weren't at our best today. The team still worked very hard and that's all we ask from them; to do their best at the things they can control. We had to grind and show some championship DNA and character. We're excited to rest up, recover, and be at home for the next couple weeks with our family and friends with senior day on the horizon. Go Lutes!"
 
The Lutes will rest up before hosting the Lewis & Clark Pioneers this Sunday on East Field at 2:45 p.m.
 
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