• PHOTO GALLERY   |   • FINAL STATS   
   • VIDEO: Kasey  Reeve   
   • VIDEO: 2008 Championship Ceremony

SEATTLE – Julia DeVere scored in the first half and delivered an assist after halftime Saturday for Seattle Pacific, which defeated Minnesota State Moorhead 2-0 in a non-conference women's soccer game at Interbay Stadium.
 
The Falcons (2-0) completed a sweep of their season-opening homestand, including Thursday's 2-0 victory over Cal Poly Pomona.
 
"That's exactly where you want to be, at 2-0 on the season and on course to continue a challenging schedule," said Arby Busey, in his fourth year as the SPU head coach. "Now we have to go on the road and challenge ourselves with two more opportunities against two really good teams."
 
The Falcons embark on their first road trip of the season, a two-game swing next week in California. They visit Chico State on Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. and San Francisco State on Sept. 8 at 1 p.m.
 


Intense early pressure Saturday provided dangerous chances for the Falcons. The finest foray came on a 27th-minute shot by Kasey Reeve that caromed off the underside of the crossbar, rebounding to Megan Moore, whose follow attempt sailed high.
 
After five errant attempts, SPU finally found the back of the net at 25:17.
 
DeVere (Squalicum HS) received a Sydnee Smith pass from the right flank at the edge of the box and took a touch before unleashing a 17-yard blast high into the goal. That was the first tally of the season for DeVere, who was tied for second on last year's team with four goals.
 
"Julia was fantastic today as a senior, a captain, somebody who leads us," Busey said. "Today was a day, coming off a game that was very exhausting and physical in nature, where you need your leaders to step up and carry some of the load. She was brilliant. Julia got us that first goal and created the second one as well."
 
The 1-0 score line held into intermission as the hosts compiled a 13-2 shot advantage during the opening 45 minutes.
 
The lead doubled just 2-minutes, 42-seconds into the second half, set up by DeVere's outstanding cross from the right wing. She found Reeve open near the far post for a close-range header.
 
Reeve (Fountain Valley, Calif.) netted a goal in each of the Falcons two games. She topped the squad with 10 goals in 2017.
 
"She's brilliant at finishing goals, that's what she does best," Busey said. "Our job is to put Kasey in those spots, deliver balls to her and let her stuff it in the net. She did it again today."
 
The SPU defense has yet to surrender a score this season, covering 180 minutes. Senior goalkeeper Abby Smith (Sumner HS) was credited with one save en route to the shutout.
 
Freshman Riley Travis (Ballard HS) earned the shutout Thursday in goal for the Falcons.
 
"It's easier to keep a shutout when you are in possession of the ball a lot," Busey explained. "We try to operate from that side of things when we are defending. We were very good this weekend in moments when we lost the ball, making sure that our security was tight and that we didn't concede anything."
 
Kayleigh Sedlacek amassed nine saves Saturday for the Dragons (0-2), who were outshot by a 23-5 margin.
 
The Falcons next home game is Tuesday, Sept. 11 versus Cal State San Bernardino. Kick-off is 1 p.m. at Interbay Stadium.
 
THROW INS
• The SPU women won their first two games of the season for the fourth consecutive year. They lost game No. 3 in each of the last two seasons and opened 2015 with four straight victories.
• Falcons reserves Sierra Smith and Mickayla Mury each came in and recorded three shots
• Three freshman made their collegiate playing debuts Saturday for SPU: Mariah Alexander, Abbie Anderson and Taylor Menkens.
• At halftime, Seattle Pacific celebrated the 10th anniversary of its national championship team at halftime and several players were on hand for the ceremony. The Falcons defeated previously unbeaten West Florida, 1-0, on a golden goal by Janae Godoy with 2:13 left in the final overtime to capture the 2008 NCAA Division II crown.
 

 
NCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Interbay Stadium / Seattle, Wash.
 
at Seattle Pacific 2, Minnesota State Moorhead 0
 
Scoring – 1, SPU, Julia DeVere (Sydnee Smith), 25:17; 2, SPU, Kasey Reeve (DeVere), 47:42.
 
                            1   2  --  TOTAL
Minnesota State Moorhead    0   0  --    0
Seattle Pacific             1   1  --    2
 
Shots – MSUM 5, SPU 23.
Saves – MSUM 9 (Kayleigh Sedlacek), SPU 1 (Abby Smith).
Corner Kicks – MSUM 0, SPU 6.
Fouls – MSUM 7, SPU 10.
Offsides – MSUM 0, SPU 4.
 
Records
Minnesota State Moorhead 0-2-0
Seattle Pacific 2-0-0
 
Next SPU Women's Soccer Game
Seattle Pacific at Chico State
Thursday, Sept. 6, 7:00 p.m. PDT
University Soccer Stadium/Chico, Calif.