• STAT SHEET (pdf)  |  • VIDEO: Chloe  Gellhaus goal

Lacey, Wash. – Sophia Chilczuk and Chloe Gellhaus each tallied a second-half goal Saturday for Seattle Pacific, which didn't allow a Saint Martin's shot attempt until the final minute of a 2-0 Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's soccer victory at Saints Field.
 
The Falcons (4-4-0) evened their overall record while improving to 2-0-0 in league play. SMU (2-4-2) lost in its GNAC opener.
 
Despite compiling a 15-0 shot advantage during the opening 45 minutes, the Falcons were unable to put one away and settled for a scoreless first half.
 
That changed just 1-minute, 19-seconds after intermission on the first shot of the second half.
 
Defender Megan Nielsen started the scoring play with a dribble toward the box and dish to the right flank. Chilczuk received the ball and initiated a give-and-go with Sierra Smith, whose return pass created an open look from the corner of the 6-yard box. Chilczuk deposited the eight-yard shot into the lower left corner at 46:19.

 

SPU's leading scorer with eight goals in 2018, Chilczuk went without a goal through the Falcons first six outings this year. The junior forward has now scored in back-to-back games as she capped Thursday's 3-0 victory at Northwest Nazarene with a 75th-minute strike.
 
"It's a product of our sport a lot of times. Sophia's been really good and the goals haven't been there," said SPU coach Arby Busey. "She continues to be great and was today, so it was nice for her to get rewarded. Sophia was a little frustrated at the beginning of the season not getting the ball in the net. But it wasn't for a lack of trying, it wasn't for a lack of being in the right spot.
 
"It's just one of those things that the goals are starting to come for her, which is great for us and unfortunate for our opponents moving forward."
 
Saturday's lead doubled to 2-0 at 65:07. Gellhaus netted her first collegiate goal, and she earned it.
 
With her back to goal, the freshman gathered a throw-in from Madison Ibale. She spun and dribbled through heavy traffic along the top-edge of the box, somehow retaining possession despite defenders getting a foot to the ball.
 
Gellhaus continued the run toward the center and, finding a sliver of space, directed a low, 15-yard shot inside the left post.
 


In the 73rd minute, Gellhaus nearly struck again. She raced to a ball in the center of the box, but her low drive caromed off the left post and rebounded into the arms of the grounded goalkeeper.
 
Sophie Mendoza made five saves for the Saints, who were outshot by a 26-1 margin. SMU registered a sixth save when a defender cleared a shot by Makena Rietz off the goal line 14 minutes into the contest.
 
Kaylie Nelson was not required to make a save en route to her second, and Seattle Pacific's third, shutout.
 
SMU did not find a shot opportunity for 89 minutes. The hosts finally guided the ball goalward with 29 seconds remaining when Shea McKnight sent a header wide to the left.
 
After starting the same set of defenders in the season's first five games, a different group of opened on the back line in each of the last three outings.
 
"They just didn't concede anything today," said Busey. "When they are called upon, those guys at the back keep stepping in and getting the job done. It was a different group today than it was on Thursday. It's great when we are shifting bodies in and out to have them as cohesive as they are and to have them playing as well as they are.
 
"We're about keeping and possessing the soccer ball. We did a decent job of that today on a pretty tough surface to prevent them from creating chances."
 
Gellhaus led all players with eight shots and four of them were directly on target. Two others weren't credited as shots-on-goal, but hit the woodwork.
 
The two closest first-half chances came off the foot of Gellhaus, both on long free kicks.
 
In the 18th minute she booted a 40-yard shot that clanged off the crossbar. Gellhaus lofted a 35-yard free kick on frame in the 31st minute, but Mendoza managed to rise and tip the ball over the bar for a corner kick.
 
"It's good for Chloe to hit the net. She's had plenty of opportunities on the season thus far and getting that first one is big for her to be able to continue to do what she's been doing," said Busey. "There hasn't been any hesitation to take the next shot after missing one. She was very good today and well deserving of getting on the scoreboard."
 
The Falcons women return to Seattle for their first GNAC home game. They entertain Concordia-Portland on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. as the opener of a doubleheader with the men's team at Interbay Stadium.
 
NCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Saints Field / Lacey, Wash.
 
Seattle Pacific 2, at Saint Martin's 0
 
Scoring – 1, SPU, Sophia Chilzcuk (Sierra Smith), 46:19; 2, SPU, Chloe Gellhaus (unassisted), 65:07.
 
                       1   2  --  TOTAL
Seattle Pacific        0   2  --    2
Saint Martin's         0   0  --    0
 
Shots – SPU 26, SMU 1.
Shots on Goal -- SPU 8, SMU 0.
Saves –SPU 0 (Kaylie Nelson), SMU 6 (Sophie Mendoza 5, Team 1).
Corner Kicks – SPU 4, SMU 2.
Fouls – SPU 5, SMU 12.
Offsides – SPU 6, SMU 0.
 
 
Records
Seattle Pacific 4-4-0, 2-0-0 GNAC
Saint Martin's 2-4-2, 0-1-0 GNAC
 
Next SPU Women's Soccer Game
Concordia-Portland at Seattle Pacific
Thursday, Oct. 3, 4:30 p.m. PDT
Interbay Stadium / Seattle, Wash.