THIS WEEK'S WOMEN'S SOCCER SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Montana State Billings at (#23) Seattle Pacific
3:00 p.m. PDT, Interbay Stadium, Seattle, Wash.
 
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Northwest Nazarene at (#23) Seattle Pacific
2:00 p.m. PDT, Interbay Stadium, Seattle, Wash.
 
     • Webcast for both games:  https://www.youtube.com/user/SPUsports 
     • LiveStats for both games:  https://spufalcons.comsidearmstats/wsoc/
     • Buy Tickets in Advance:  https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/spufalcons/6750
 
Fans at Interbay Stadium can watch the Seattle Pacific women's soccer team live this week for the first time in 674 days. The 23rd-ranked Falcons (3-0-0) play their home opener and begin Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 3:00 p.m. versus Montana State Billings. The Yellowjackets (3-1-1) are winless in their last nine meetings with SPU. On Saturday, Sept. 25, the Falcons entertain Northwest Nazarene (2-1-1) at 2:00 p.m. The Falcons won the last three encounters to increase their series lead to 33-3-0 over the Nighthawks. During the 2020-21 season that was moved to the spring and abbreviated due to the COVID outbreak, SPU played seven home games in front of empty stands. The last time spectators were allowed at Interbay Stadium for a women's game was Nov. 16, 2019. The GNAC season and NCAA Division II Tournament that were cancelled last year will be contested this fall. SPU seeks a return to the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 2018 after narrowly missing a berth in 2019 and no playoffs being contested last season.
 
Home Openers
Seattle Pacific has never lost a home-opening contest with 18 wins and two ties in their inaugural Interbay Stadium outings. The draws came in 2008 and 2016. The Falcons were 4-0 victors over Puget Sound in their last home opener, on March 27, 2021.
 
Ticket Talk
Get your SPU soccer tickets in advance by purchasing them online at:  https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/spufalcons/6750    Tickets for SPU soccer games can also be purchased on game day at Interbay Stadium (3027 17th Ave. W., Seattle 98119). Ticket windows open one hour prior to kickoff. All seats are general admission and priced at $10 for adults and $7 for students and senior citizens. SPU students and staff are admitted free. Groups or teams of 10 or more may qualify for reduced ticket rates by calling (206) 281-2085 in advance. Spectators are recommended to wear a mask at Interbay Stadium.
 
AJ DePINTO INTERVIEW

Home Sweet Home
The Falcons compiled a perfect 7-0-0 record at home last season. They out-scored opponents 31-3 at Interbay Stadium in 2020-21 with five clean sheets.
 
Throw-Ins
• The SPU defense has a current 233-minute, 35-second scoreless streak, all with Riley Travis in goal.
 
• AJ DePinto scored in both games last week, pushing her career total to 3. She leads SPU with 2 goals.
 
• The Falcons are undefeated in their last 12 outings and boast a six-game winning streak.
 
Recent Recap
The SPU women swept their season-opening trip with three wins in California. They rallied to beat Chico State 2-1 (Sept. 11) behind second-half scores from Chloe Gellhaus and Sophia Chilczuk. SPU won 2-0 at San Francisco State (Sept. 16) with both goals coming after halftime, by Madison Ibale and AJ DePinto. Reserve DePinto struck again in a 2-0 win at Stanislaus State (Sept. 18) and Sophie Beadle also netted a goal.
 
2021 Season Preview
Seattle Pacific was picked first in the preseason GNAC coaches poll, and for good reason. Coach Arby Busey returns all 11 starters from last season's squad that outscored opponents 39-7. The Falcons forged an 8-0-1 record in the shortened 2020-21 campaign and were ranked No. 5 in the final national poll. There was no conference schedule nor NCAA Tournament last season. Ten different Falcons netted a goal and all of them return this fall. The potent offense was led by the impressive 10-goal, eight-assist performance of senior forward Sophia Chilczuk, who led the nation in assists per game (1.0) and ranked fourth in goals average (1.25). Senior Claire Neder contributed eight goals and five assists while junior Chloe Gellhaus scored six times. Sophomore Sophie Beadle had three goals in her inaugural collegiate campaign while tying for team honors with eight assists. The dynamic defense is an experienced unit backed by senior goalkeeper Riley Travis, who played a part in four shutouts. Mariah Alexander, who pushed forward for three goals, plays alongside experienced backliners Marissa Bankey, Ava Giovanola and Madison Ibale. Fifteen other returning players and four talented incoming freshmen bolster the stellar starting lineup that returns intact.
 
This Week's Opponents
Montana State Billings (3-1-1, 0-0-0 GNAC) -- The Yellowjackets are undefeated in their last four games and bring a two-game winning streak to Seattle. Liberty Palmer tops the team with two goals and an assist. The goalkeeping tandem of Clare Keenan and Tuva Sallvin combined for three shutouts and an impressive 0.38 goals against average. The Falcons own a 22-4-2 series lead, outscoring MSUB 62-16 all-time. SPU posted a 7-0-2 record, and was victorious in the last four meetings, since the Yellowjackets last win on Sept. 27, 2014 in Billings.
 
Northwest Nazarene (2-1-1, 0-0-0) -- After winning their first two games, the Nighthawks lost 3-2 to Colorado Mesa (Sept. 9) and tied Westminster 1-1 (Sept. 11). Madison Grande leads NNU with two goals and Magda Wronski distributed a team-high three assists. Goalkeeper Alexis Montoya compiled two shutouts and a 0.93 goals against average, making saves at a clip of six per game. The Falcons won the last three meetings and own a commanding 33-3-0 advantage in the all-time series.
 
 

Coach Busey
Arby Busey is in his 16th year on the Seattle Pacific staff and his seventh as head coach. In the abbreviated 2020-21 season, he directed the Falcons to an 8-0-1 record and No. 5 final ranking. Busey has a 60-31-9 record at SPU, a mark that doesn't include 10 wins from 2015 that were vacated due to the use of an ineligible player. SPU advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs in Busey's first two seasons at the helm and again in 2018. From his assistant post from 2006-14, Busey helped the Falcons to an impressive 95-30-12 record and playoff appearances each season. SPU won the 2008 NCAA Division II championship and reached the 2007 national semifinals during his tenure. He is a 1993 graduate of Villanova and was the Idaho head coach from 2002-04 where he had an 8-40-7 record.
 
Next Week
The Seattle Pacific women hit the road for a pair of GNAC outings. They visit Western Oregon on Sept. 30 at 2:00 p.m. and Saint Martin's on Oct. 2 at 1:00 p.m. The next home game is Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m. versus Simon Fraser.