Box Score    |    Final Stats    |    VIDEO: Kasey  Reeve

SEATTLE – The last two Seattle Pacific women's soccer games have been a vivid reminder that the only shots that matter are the ones that reach the back of the net.
 
Kaytlin Willis converted a penalty kick 10 minutes into the second half Monday for the decisive tally in SPU's 3-2 non-conference women's soccer win over Cal State East Bay at Interbay Stadium.
 
The Falcons (3-1-1) won despite an 18-14 deficit in the shot count.
 
"It's the sport that we play. It can be cruel on some days and can be kind on others," exclaimed SPU coach Arby Busey. "I think it was kind to us today because I don't know that our performance and our effort merited getting out of here with three points."
 
Seattle Pacific was the frustrated party on Saturday after settling for a 1-1 draw with Metro State after registering a commanding 28-9 shot advantage.
 
"It's one of those 'what comes around, goes around' things," said Busey. "We were unfortunate in terms of the result the other night and were very fortunate in terms of the result today."


 
East Bay controlled the early run of play and attempted six shots before the Falcons managed their first try at goal, in the 12th minute. Brooke Lancaster's hard drive forced a dive from goalkeeper Jasmine Corbett, who flicked the ball away over the endline.
 
SPU capitalized on the ensuing corner kick, which was served into the middle of the box by Maddie Sjothun. Maddie Krauss reached the loose ball and poked it high into the Pioneers goal from five yards out at 11:58.
 
Krauss (Lake Oswego, Ore.) is tied for team-high honors with two goals.
 
The lead increased to 2-0 when Kasey Reeve (Fountain Valley, Calif.) found the back of the net for her first collegiate goal, at 20:52. She scored on a six-yard put-back after teammate Simone Herzberg's shot was deflected by Corbett in front of the goalmouth.
 
The game featured many ebbs and flows, according to Busey.
 
"East Bay started out like a house on fire and really, really built a lot of momentum. It was hard for us to gain traction. We made some substitutions, a few changes, brought some fresh legs in there and the game kind of tipped in our favor there.
 
"We got up two goals and had a nice lead until about 10 minutes later when it started sliding away from us."
 
East Bay finally found the goal at 36:51, taking advantage of a clumsy clearance by Falcons goalkeeper Molly Stinson. Megan Ravenscroft intercepted the low boot and took a few dribbles into the right side of the box before sending a 17-yard strike to the left side of the goal.
 
Ravenscroft netted the equalizer at 40:15, finishing a fine through pass from Rachel Robbert to the lower left corner from 12 yards out.
 
The visitors owned a 13-7 shot advantage at halftime, many of which were from long range. The shot-on-goal count was closer with CSUEB holding a slim 5-4 edge.
 
The deciding goal by Willis (Snohomish HS) was her first of the season and second career strike, both of them game-winners.
 
After a hand ball was whistled in the center of the box against Pioneers defender Janelle Herrera, Willis stepped to the 12-yard spot and calmly drilled a penalty kick into the goal at 54:48.
 
Her initiative to step forward and earnest appearance gave Busey the confidence to allow Willis the PK opportunity.
 
"She just ran up and grabbed it. Kaytlin looked at the bench and I didn't shake her off. She looked like she wanted it, she looked like she was confident so she stepped up and went for it," he described.
 
"Kaytlin just stepped up and stuck it straight in the back of the net. It was something that we needed. We needed a little pick-me-up and that provided the necessary energy to kind of see the game out and get out of here with a win."
 
Stinson (Woodinville HS) collected four saves for SPU, the most significant coming in the 61st minute. She denied the tying goal, and a Ravenscroft hat trick, by racing out to smother a shot on a breakaway by the Pioneers forward.
 
Corbett was credited with three saves for East Bay (1-2-2).
 
The Falcons begin Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on the road Saturday, visiting Nampa, Idaho. They meet Northwest Nazarene at noon.
 
The four days off from competition are a welcome respite for the Falcons, who just competed a stretch of five games in 12 days, including three since Wednesday.
 
Heading into GNAC action, Busey is not entirely happy with the current 3-1-1 ledger, but believes the hectic non-league schedule will pay dividends down the road.
 
"It's little disappointing in terms of some of the results. We want to win them all. But we grew. We're a better team for having gone through what we went through in the last 12 days in terms of playing a ton of games and some quality opponents, being on the road and facing some things that are going to be beneficial to us as we move into the conference season."
 
The Falcons begin Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on the road Saturday, visiting Nampa, Idaho. They meet Northwest Nazarene at noon.
 
 
NCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER
Monday, Sept. 12, 2016
Interbay Stadium / Seattle, Wash.
 
at Seattle Pacific 3, Cal State East Bay 2
 
                      1   2  --  TOTAL
Cal State East Bay    2   0  --    2
Seattle Pacific       2   1  --    3
 
Scoring – 1, SPU, Maddie Krauss (Maddie Sjothun), 11:58; 2, SPU, Kasey Reeve (Simone Herzberg), 20:52; 3, CSUEB, Megan Ravenscroft, 36:51; 4, CSUEB, Ravenscroft (Rachel Robbert), 40:15; 5, SPU, Kaytlin Willis (pk), 54:48.
 
Shots – CSUEB 18, SPU 14.
Saves – CSEUB 3 (Jasmine Corbett), SPU 5 (Molly Stinson 4, team 1).
Corner Kicks – CSUEB 4, SPU 3.
Fouls – CSUEB 9, SPU 8.
Offsides – CSUEB 2, SPU 3.
 
Records
Cal State East Bay 1-2-2
Seattle Pacific 3-1-1
 
Next SPU Women's Game
Seattle Pacific at Northwest Nazarene
Saturday, Sept. 17, 12:00 p.m.
NNU Soccer Field / Nampa, Idaho