Official USC Release

TACOMA, Wash. — The nine-time defending Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team continues to excel on the pitch and in the classroom and on Friday was recognized for its hard work academically, earning the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Team Academic Award.

The Lutes boasted a 3.61 grade points average (on a 4.0 scale) and was one of 452 women;s programs from across all levels of collegiate soccer to be recognized. The NWC Champion Lutes were the lone NWC squad to win the award. To be eligible, teams had to compile a team GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

Pacific Lutheran won a share of its ninth consecutive conference title last fall, closing the season with a 12-2-6 overall record and a 12-0-4 mark in conference play. That included a stout defense that allowed just seven goals all season and posted 13 shutouts. 

PLU opens the regular season on Sept. 4 in Cleveland, Ohio against Case Western Reserve University. PLU's home opener is on Sept. 10 against Wheaton College before opening its NWC title defense at home against Pacific University on Sept. 19.