TACOMA, Wash. --- The No.21-ranked Pacific Lutheran University Women's Soccer team (13-1-4, 12-0-2 NWC) continue on a run never-before-seen by a PLU Women's Soccer team, clinching their eighth-consecutive Northwest Conference title on Sunday afternoon after defeating the George Fox Bruins (5-10-3, 2-9-3 NWC), 2-1 on Sunday's Senior Day.

EIGHT STRAIGHT ??

PLU Women's Soccer clinched the 2024 Northwest Conference Championship with a 2-1 win over George Fox!#GoLutes @PLU_WSoc pic.twitter.com/v1iNk78RIV

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) November 4, 2024

 
The conference-leading Lutes entered Sunday's contest needing just one point to clinch their eighth-straight Northwest Conference title. With Senior Day in the midst, the Lutes honored a senior class of eight, competing in their final game on East Field. Seniors Corissa Olson, Meghan Hamell, Cassie Stady, Lily Dose, Hannah Cecil, Kaylee Zicha, Kayden Hulquist, and Julia Causbie were honored in front of their friends, family, and teammates. These seniors have compiled an impressive 62-11-8 record over the past four seasons, highlighted by a 51-6-4 record in conference play, and a 30-3-4 record on home turf. These Lutes will also compete in their fourth-consecutive NCAA Tournament, something that hasn't been done since 1992; since the 2020 postseason was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
In the first half, the Lutes took possession, firing the first two shots that were blocked and missed the target. But senior Lily Dose led a pass through to Olivia Boehm who beat her defender one-on-one to give the Lutes a 1-0 lead in the 13^th minute.
 
PLU's defense locked in, holding the Bruins without a shot attempt for the first 37-minutes of the game, meanwhile, the Lutes had six, with just the one score being the only attempt on-goal. Through 45-minutes of play, the Lutes led the Bruins, 1-0.
 
Shots by Dose, Cecil, and Causbie missed the target early in the final half of play on East Field in 2024. Followed by Causbie and Cecil hitting the crossbar, and three more of Cecil's shots being saved. Hannah Cecil's attempt in the 63^rd minute saw the Lutes best opportunity to strike again, as she beat the goalkeeper but an errant Bruin defender stopped the shot on the end line in-goal.
 
The Bruins were able to execute on their first attempt of the second half, beating goalkeeper Abby Winkler and tying the game up at 1-1 in the 77^th minute. Kayden Hulquist, Lily Dose, and Kiana Gutierrez's efforts shortly after proved unsuccessful. But in the 86^th minute, a corner kick taken by Gutierrez found the head of junior defender Bella Hanna to the far post, putting the Lutes back on top, 2-1.
 
PLU went on to maintain the lead in the closing minutes, putting a cap on a successful senior day by clinching the Northwest Conference title with two games left to play in the season.

Dynasty

(Noun)

Definition: @PLU_WSoc winning eight straight Northwest Conference titles ???????????????? #GoLutes pic.twitter.com/TjrGrrZkSC

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) November 4, 2024

 
"There's a lot that goes into senior day, our underclassmen do a big presentation for our seniors to honor their commitment to their four-year legacy to the program. Pregame, postgame, there's a lot that goes into this day, and you're always concerned that there's enough energy and focus for the actual game. And I always tell our team that we are going to honor these seniors by having a good performance on their senior day." Said Head Coach Seth Spidahl in regards to Sunday's Women's Soccer senior day.
 
"I thought overall we played well today, huge credit to George Fox, they fought hard and made it difficult to score. [They] blocked shots, and made saves and it was a similar game to yesterday; they came down and were opportunistic and took their once chance well. A tie would have got us through today, but we certainly wanted to finish with a win and punctuate it. It's the character this team has showed all year, where we got a good service in to get Bella (Hanna) her seventh goal; all basically on corners. It was great to get a win on senior day. I'm super proud of the team. We are excited to get ready for the NCAA Tournament now, and we have a big road trip away to the Whit's who are both really good programs this year. We want to use this week to have momentum and play well heading into the NCAA Tournament, wherever it is that we go. We're excited to be where we're at, but we know we've got a lot of work to do and we want to keep our season going as far as we can. Go Lutes!"
 
The Lutes maintained offensive possession, taking 20 total shots, but were only able to beat the Bruins keeper twice in the game. Cecil led the way yet again with six shots, followed by Julia Causbie with four. Nine of the Lutes starting 11 fired attempts in the contest, with Ally Tattar having the lone shot off of the bench.
 
The Lutes close out the regular season on the road at Whitworth and Whitman next weekend to help prepare for their fourth-straight NCAA Tournament Appearance.
 
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