Sept. 4, 2007

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Lutes Look for First Victory Before Conference Schedule Begins

THIS WEEK: Pacific Lutheran hosts Augsburg, Friday, 1:30 p.m.; PLU hosts Cal Lutheran, Sunday, 11 a.m.

LAST WEEK: UC Santa Cruz def. PLU 2-0; Evergreen def. PLU 3-1.

ABOUT THE AUGGIES: The Augsburg Auggies return seven starters from last season’s 10-6-2 team that finished fourth in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, most notably junior goalkeeper Maggie DeGroot, who has played every minute in goal for Augsburg the past two seasons. Last year she set a single-season school record with 10 shutouts, allowing only 12 goals in the team’s 18 games. She anchors a strong defensive backfield that has fueled Augsburg’s recent success. In their first two games this season, the Auggies defeated Northwestern College-Roseville 6-0 and lost to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 3-0.

ABOUT THE REGALS: The California Lutheran Regals play Point Loma Nazarene in their season opener on Wednesday, Sept. 5. The Regals return 11 players and five starters from last year’s team that lost to PLU, 1-0, in Salem, Ore. A key change on this year’s squad will come in goal, with junior Kelly Balch competing with freshmen Kristin Borzi and Brittany Tippet for the starting job. CLU will play at University of Puget Sound on Friday before coming to PLU for Sunday’s match.

PREVIEW: This weekend features the last two games before the start of conference play for the Lutes, with the team still looking for its first win under new head coach Lynnette Buffington. The biggest struggle thus far has been scoring, which plagued the team all last season. With only one goal through two matches so far, the Lutes will look to junior Christina McDuffie and sophomore Monica Beard to lead an offense that needs to find its spark. Defense could stand as the key to the matchups, particularly against an Augsburg team that is anchored by a strong defense and stellar goalkeeper. Look for the freshmen to continue to play a major role, as the team looks to step up the offense and protect goalkeeper Amanda Tschauner and earn its first victory of the season.

- PLU -