TACOMA, Wash. --- The Pacific Lutheran Women's Soccer team (3-1-3, 3-0-1 NWC) hosted cross-town rival Puget Sound Loggers (1-4-1, 1-1-1 NWC) on Wednesday evening, coming away with a 1-0 victory, thanks to senior Julia Causbie's penalty kick as well as the Lutes defense earning their third-straight shutout.
 
The Lutes got the first shot of the game off in the 5^th minute, as senior forward Hannah Cecil's shot missed the target. Olivia Boehm ripped a shot minutes later that was blocked on the way in. The first and only Logger attempt of the first half didn't come until the 29^th minute, as the Lutes defense remained tough.
 
Senior Julia Causbie fired in a corner kick, and while the Loggers attempted to clear the ball, the head referee called a hand-ball on UPS. Causbie was the Lutes penalty-taker in the 0-0 ballgame, but she rifled a ball past the goalkeeper in the upper right corner to break the tie. Through the first 45-minutes, the Lutes held a 1-0 lead.

Gettin' (Irish) Jiggy Wit it! Julie Causbie nets the game winner for @PLU_WSoc against that crosstown rival #GoLutes pic.twitter.com/vAq9HuDu7A

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) September 26, 2024

 
PLU's defense had to keep pace in the second half, as the offense had just one shot through the first 20-minutes, whereas the Loggers had quadrupled their first half total. From there, UPS was unable to get a clean shot off for the remainder of the game. Causbie and Cecil gave their best efforts to extend the Lutes lead late, but Causbie found the cross bar, and Cecil's attempt was saved by the goalkeeper.
 
The Lutes held on in the end, earning a gritty 1-0 win against the rival Loggers. Causbie's penalty proves to be the different maker in the first match between the two teams in 2024.
 
"Tough cross-town rivalry battle as usual, UPS played very hard and physical. It's always a battle, there's a lot of 50/50 balls in the air, and they are just always a tough game. We got a little fortunate with a PK call, but shoutout to Julia for having the composure to finish it." Said Head Coach Seth Spidahl on the Lutes win.
 
"Overall, I'm very happy with it, sometimes you have to play that way and defend hard. I'm proud of the team and we still have a lot of room to improve. Good mid-week result, and we look forward to a good Lewis & Clark team this Saturday. Go Lutes!"
 
The Lutes took eight shots to the Loggers five, meanwhile PLU has three on goal and their defense did not allow Puget Sound a shot attempt on-target. Junior Abby Winkler maintains her strong start to the 2024 season, not having to make a save in the contest. Seniors Cecil and Causbie took a combined six of the Lutes eight shots, with each having one on-frame.
 
The Lutes homestand comes to a halt, as they take on Lewis & Clark on the road this Saturday at 2:45 p.m.
 
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