NEWBERG, Ore. – Head Coach
Seth Spidahl inked his 200th career victory on Friday night, reaching the milestone in the Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team's 3-0 win over Northwest Conference rival George Fox University on Friday night.
Spidahl, a Lute alum and PLU's coach since 2012, becomes just the second coach in program history to eclipse the 200 win milestone, joining Hall of Fame Coach Colleen Hacker who racked up 233 victories from 1981 to 1995, a span that included winning three NAIA national titles.
Kami Novotny made the milestone win happen, scoring the eventual game-winner just under two minutes into the game. Novotny beat the keeper with a shot to the lower left corner with
Kaitlyn Lemus earning the assist. It was Novotny's third goal over the last seven games while Lemus registered her first helper of the 2026 season.
PLU (8-2-3, 6-1-2 NWC) padded the lead with a goal in the 73rd minute from
Liv Olson, her fourth of the year, before making it a three-goal game in the 77th minute courtesy of
Zoe Markquart. Markquart's goal was her third of the fall while
Abby Manolovitz provided the assist, her team leading third of the season.
"It was a tough game, so credit to George Fox, they defended well, they're a young team but they were hard to play," said Spidahl.
"We played pretty good tonight, creating a lot of good chances. It took us a while to get the second and third goal but you know, we've been training better and better and getting better with our soccer and the team is trying to do what we're asking them to do. We're growing and we're improving, so it's good to see that come out with a 3-0 win."
Mia Speir earned the clean sheet in goal, making four saves in 90 minutes of action. It's the junior's seventh shutout of the season and third in a row after keeping both Whitman College and Whitworth University off the scoreboard last weekend.
PLU outshot George Fox (2-10-1, 1-9-1 NWC) 15-12, holding a 10-4 edge in shots on target.
"To get 200 wins really comes down to having lots of really good players. So, thanks to all the past and current players and what they've done and to having a really good coaching staff, so thanks to all the past and current coaches, and the supportive PLU administration of our women's soccer program."
Spidahl now sits with a career record of 200-45-45 as PLU's head coach, an impressive .767 winning percentage over the last 15 years that includes winning nine consecutive NWC titles and making seven trips to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
"I certainly want to recognize all the parents that support their daughters and the fundraising. It's just a combination of all that and when you have that and are surrounded by good people that work hard, that have talent, that are motivated and are disciplined and want to accomplish things, then you can sometimes accomplish things like this. But we're ready for more. It's a good milestone to hit but ready to move on for Sunday and Pacific."
The Lutes finish off the road swing on Sunday, battling Pacific University at 2:45 p.m.
