Box Score • VIDEO: Isabel Farrell

SEATTLE – Junior Isabel Farrell's impact was nearly immediate for Seattle Pacific.
 
The first-year Falcons midfielder scored less than two minutes into the season-opening game Thursday, starting the 25th-ranked SPU women on their way to a 2-1 soccer triumph over UC San Diego at Interbay Stadium.


 
"I feel awesome, honestly," described Farrell, a University of Washington transfer who enrolled at SPU in January.
 
"I really wanted to come here and make a difference. I really do believe in this team and so far it's been a really, really positive experience for me."
 
Just 1:58 into her Falcons debut, Farrell (Redmond, Wash./Interlake HS) found the back of the net. After stealing the ball in the box from a UCSD defender, she dribbled to the right before slipping a low, 10-yard shot to the left side.
 
"She plays at a different level. She was just fantastic all night," exclaimed 12th-year SPU coach Chuck Sekyra. "Izzy is a fantastic player who makes us better in every way."
 
The Falcons added another tally in the 22nd minute. Laura Moore blasted a hard shot from inside the box that was deflected by Tritons goalkeeper Kelcie Brodsky. Sophomore Hannah Huesers (Lake Stevens, Wash./Lake Stevens HS) quickly deposited the rebound into the goal.
 
SPU seemed in control until San Diego broke through in the 82nd minute. During a scramble in the box, Jordyn McNutt flicked a high shot that carried over goalkeeper Alexa Hughes before trickling inside the right post.
 
UCSD continued to threaten the Falcons goal, including a header by Aimee Ellis that carried just over the crossbar with 2:31 left to play, but was unable to net a second score.
 
Hughes was credited with four saves for SPU, which was outshot by a slim 14-13 margin. The Falcons had the more dangerous chances with nine shots on goal to only five for UCSD.
 
Brodsky stopped seven shots for the Tritons.
 
Thursday's combatants are both perennial national contenders. Both have won NCAA Division II national championships, the Falcons in 2008 and UCSD in 2000 and 2001.
 
The Tritons had won the last four meetings with SPU and still leads the series 5-3.
 
"I'm elated. I don't care if we won 10-0, 2-1 or whatever it is," Sekyra said. "It's just great to a win against a quality program and a team that has given us trouble in the past.
 
"It's just a tough team to play against. They play very direct and they launch the ball in. They keep you under pressure with those long balls all the time, and you really can't make a mistake."
 
 
The SPU women play their first road game on Wednesday, Sept. 10. They pay a visit to Chico State for a 7:30 contest.
 
 
NCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER
Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014
Interbay Stadium/Seattle, Wash.
 
(#25) Seattle Pacific 2, UC San Diego 1
 
Scoring – 1, SPU, Isabel Farrell, 1:58; 2, SPU, Hannah Huesers (Laura Moore), 21:06; 3, UCSD, Jordyn McNutt, 81:25.
 
Shots – UCSD 14, SPU 13.
Saves – UCSD 7 (Kelcie Brodsky), SPU 4 (Alexa Hughes).
Corner Kicks – UCSD 4, SPU 4.
Fouls – UCSD 11, SPU 8.
Offsides – UCSD 2, SPU 2.
 
Records:
Seattle Pacific 1-0-0
UC San Diego 0-1-0
 
Next SPU Game:
Seattle Pacific at Chico State
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m.
University Soccer Stadium / Chico, Calif.