• FINAL STATS   |   • VIDEO: Kaytlin  Willis
• VIDEO: SPU Post-Game Press Conference

PORTLAND, Ore. – The third time was not a charm for Seattle Pacific.
 
Facing 11th-ranked Concordia at Tuominen Yard for the third consecutive game within two weeks, the Falcons surrendered the decisive goal Thursday four minutes after Kasey Reeve had evened the score in a 2-1 first-round loss at the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Tournament.
 
The outcome matched the 2-1 scoreline these teams posted last Thursday in the GNAC Tournament semifinals. On Oct. 27 they battled to a 1-1 draw.
 
Overall, this was the fourth meeting of the season as they clashed on Oct. 11 in Seattle, where Concordia escaped with a 1-0 win. In total, the Cavaliers registered three wins and a draw in those four outings despite only outscoring SPU by a combined 6-3 count. They netted the initial goal each game and the Falcons responded with an equalizer in three of them.
 
On Thursday, the hosts opened a 1-0 lead in the second minute on Quinn Williams' second goal of the season. SPU senior Kasey Reeve leveled the score in the 55th minute, but the Cavaliers rapidly responded with the decisive strike from Megan Myers.
 
"It was two really good teams that know each other really well and have a ton or respect for each other," said Arby Busey, who completed his fourth season as the Falcons head coach. "It was a really, really good college soccer game, fun to be a part of for players and coaches."
 
Concordia (15-3-1), seeded second in the West Region, moves into a second-round matchup with No. 3 seed Western Washington on Saturday at 2 p.m. The 16th-ranked Vikings were 1-0 first-round victors over Sonoma State.
 
The No. 7 seeded Falcons, making their 15th NCAA playoff appearance in the last 16 years, completed the 2018 campaign with a 12-6-2 record. They lost for just the third time in their last 14 playoff openers.
 
 
The first shot of the game by either team produced a goal, just 1:57 into the contest.
 
Kyra Radcliffe dribbled into the right edge of the box before delivering a low cross into the goal area. The ball bounced around freely until Williams got a foot to it from 14 yards out, depositing it into the right side of the goal.
 
The shot barely beat SPU goalkeeper Riley Travis, whose dive to the left nearly prevented the quick score. The freshman did manage to make three saves for the Falcons, who were outshot by a 17-5 margin.
 
"They were good today," Busey said of Concordia. "They kind of threw the first punch and got that early goal. It was similar to the game we played last week where they jumped on us and got an early goal. Our response was much better this week than it was last week. We kind of fought our way back in."
 
Slow starting SPU finally went on the attack in the 15th minute with two forays into the Cavaliers box, but neither resulted in an attempt.
 
The Falcons first shot came at 16:05 after Julia DeVere won a corner kick on the right side. Sydnee Smith served the kick into the box and found the head of Reeve for an attempt that went wide to the left.
 
Another Smith set piece, in the 28th minute, provided the Falcons finest first-half chance. A CU handball at the top of the circle set Smith up for a 22-yard attempt straight on. Her free kick cleared the wall, but sailed just over the crossbar.

 

An opportunity for the Cavaliers to double their lead barely missed when Sydney VanSteenberge's hard, 15-yard shot traveled wide of right post in 24th minute.
 
The first half closed with a shot by DeVere as time expired. Her desperation try from 27 yards easily nestled into the hands of Rose Hauser. That was the only save of the game for the Concordia keeper.
 
The first-half shot count was 7-4 in favor of the Cavaliers. The second half was even more lopsided at 10-1.
 
But Seattle Pacific converted its lone shot after halftime to forge a brief tie.
 
Claire Neder received a throw-in and spun around a defender, dribbling into the left side of the box before sending a low pass across the goalmouth the eluded a defender. Reeve ran at the back post for the easy tap-in at 54:19. That was the seventh goal of the season for the senior forward and her 19th career tally.
 
Megan Myers put the Cavaliers back in front just 4:09 after SPU equalized.
 
Van Steenberge raced to the left corner to stop the ball from going out of play and then sent it into the box. The ball pinballed around and caromed out to Megan Myers just outside the box on the left side. Myers first-timed a chip with her left foot that carried over the outstretched arms of Travis and into the top right corner at 58:28. The game-winning score was her first goal of the season.
 
"As soon as we equalized it was them right back on top of us again," said Busey.
 
"That's the sign of a great team to be able to respond in those moments and they've showed themselves to be that in every one of those four games that we've played. They've been tightly contested and they've certainly been better than us. We've had four chances at them and they've been on the right end of the result three of those times."

 
The Falcons were unable to mount any sustained offense after that as Concordia successfully controlled the final third of the game.
 
Travis made a pair of outstanding late saves to keep SPU's deficit at one.
 
She snared a shot in the 80th minute, spoiling a breakaway by Isabel Morales. In the 81st minute, Maddie Misi broke free on a dribbling run toward the goal, but Travis dove at her feet to smother the attempt.
 
Thursday's loss completed the collegiate careers of nine SPU seniors. Joining DeVere, Reeve and Smith in that group are Brooke Lancaster, Mickayla Mury, Makayla Sonstelie, Abby Smith, Emma Young and Kaytlin Willis.
 
"Since day one they have stepped in and been contributors. The character of this group is absolutely amazing," Busey exclaimed. "What you see out on the field today and how hard people are willing to play for each other is a direct testament to the leadership that these guys have provided for us.
 
"They've been absolutely amazing and the rest of us that get to continue on in the soccer field are so appreciative of the place that they have left us in in terms of where were start our approach going into next season. This is a fantastic group of women, amazing people who are going to go out into the world and do unbelievable things for the people that they come in contact with. We couldn't be prouder of them."

 
NCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER
Division II Tournament -- First round
Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018
Tuominen Yard / Portland, Ore.
 
at (#11) Concordia 2, Seattle Pacific 1
 
Scoring – 1, CU, Quinn Williams (Kyra Radcliffe), 1:57; 2, SPU, Kasey Reeve (Claire Neder), 54:19; 3, CU, Megan Myers (unassisted), 58:28.
 
Seattle Pacific      0   1  --   1
Concordia            1   1  --   2
 
Shots – SPU 5, CU 17.
Shots on Goal – SPU 2, CU 5.
Saves – SPU 3 (Riley Travis), CU 1 (Rose Hauser).
Corner kicks – SPU 3, CU 8.
Fouls – SPU 11, CU 12.
Offsides – SPU 2, CU 7.
 
Records
Seattle Pacific 12-6-2
Concordia 15-1-3