Official NWC Release

HILLSBORO, Ore. — The 23rd-ranked Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team is the prohibitive favorite to secure its ninth straight Northwest Conference title, owning the top spot in the annual NWC preseason coaches' poll released on Friday. 

The nationally-ranked Lutes (16-2-4, 14-0-2 NWC in 2024) secured 64 points in the poll and eight of the nine first place votes, owning a 10-point advantage on crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound. The Loggers garnered 54 points in the poll and the remaining first place endorsement. Whitman College is third with 47 points with Whitworth University one point back in fourth with 46 points. 

Linfield University is the top ranked Oregon institution, checking in at No. 5 with 36 points. Willamette University is sixth with 30 points followed by George Fox University in seventh (20 points), Pacific University in eighth (17 points), and Lewis & Clark College in ninth (10 points). 
 
The Lutes won their eighth straight NWC title last fall before advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. PLU opens its 2025 campaign in Texas on August 29 against the University of Saint Thomas before facing 10th-ranked Trinity University two days later.