SEATTLE – Seventh-ranked Seattle Pacific suffered its first women's soccer setback after Lilly Nowatzke scored on a short header nearly six minutes into overtime Thursday afternoon to give Western Oregon a 1-0 win at WOU Soccer Field.
 
The Falcons (5-1-0) fell to 2-1-0 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play with their first loss during the calendar year. They were undefeated in the previous 14 games, including an 8-0-1 mark during the spring season.
 
WOU (2-5-0) got the victory on the only shot attempt in the extra session for either team. The Wolves picked up their first conference win in three tries.
 
The golden goal was initiated by a throw-in in at the left sideline by Liz Parker. Chloe Smith received the throw just outside the left edge of the box, spun and sent a cross toward the far post. Nowatzke barely beat SPU defender Kat Nyone to the ball at the top of the 6-yard box and nudged a header that trickled across the line at 95:57.
 
Goalkeeper Riley Travis was unable to change directions quick enough to get stop the ball as a dive to her right came up inches short.
 
"We have to give credit to our opponents, they made it extremely difficult on us today," said SPU coach Arby Busey. "This is a tough environment and they made the most of the opportunities that they created.
 
"Our sport at times can be pretty cruel and it's one of those days where we're on the wrong end of the scoreboard. I trust that the character and the resiliency within this group and the response on Saturday will be one that is appropriate."
 
STREAKS SNAPPED
A pair of scoring streaks stopped, both involving the number 17. That's how many consecutive games the Falcons had played without being shut out, dating to a 2-0 home loss versus Western Washington on Nov. 7, 2019.
 
SPU also had a lengthy streak of unanswered goals halted. After conceding the initial score at Chico State in the Sept. 11 opener, the Falcons had reeled off 17 straight goals.
 
The opposing goal snapped an extended run of scoreless minutes by the Falcons defense, ending it at 509-minutes, 32-seconds.
 
Both goalkeepers were credited with four saves, with WOU's Emily Wheeler making two in each half. The Wolves were outshot by a slim 16-14 margin.
 
CLOSE BUT NO GOALS
SPU entered the game averaging 3.40 goals per outing, but the high scoring unit was blanked Thursday despite some quality opportunities.
 
"Tough day in front of goal. We put ourselves in some good spots and created some opportunities, but just didn't have that last bit of decisiveness in those moments at the very end," Busey said. "They weren't able to finish some of the sequences that we put together with opportunities that were even on frame, let alone in the goal. It's one of those that we haven't very many in recent memory, but unfortunately had one today."
 
The Falcons indeed had their chances, including a couple late in regulation.
 
In the 65th minute, Sophie Beadle ran on to a through ball and found herself free in the right side of the box, behind the goalkeeper. With just two defenders near the goal line, she pushed a shot across the goalmouth and wide to the left.
 
Ten minutes later, a Madison Ibale header in the goalmouth from a right-side corner kick was collected by Wheeler with a reaction save.
 
The save of the game came at the other end where Travis preserved the tie with a brilliant 55th-minute stop. She slid at the left side of her goalmouth to block a point-blank shot by Piper Matson and deny a superb scoring opportunity.

RILEY TRAVIS SAVE

FIRST HALF SUMMARY
The game was scoreless at halftime with each team attempting six shots. SPU put two on goal, requiring saves from Wheeler.
 
The visitors' closest first-half scoring chance came in the fourth minute when defender Mariah Alexander headed a right-side corner kick that caromed off the left post.
 
In the 10th minute, a low flick by the Falcons Makena Rietz forced Wheeler to dive to her left to snare the ball.
 
The lone first-half save needed by Travis came on a long free kick in the 22nd minute. The Wolves Camille Darland lofted a 40-yard shot that forced Travis to rise and catch the ball at the crossbar.
 
Western's most dangerous opportunity came in the 42nd minute when Nowatzke broke free in the box with only the goalkeeper to beat. She skied a 14-yard shot high over the SPU goal.
 
NEXT GAME
The Seattle Pacific women remain on the road for a game at Saint Martin's on Saturday. Kick-off is 1:00 p.m. at Saints Field in Lacey, Wash.
 
The Falcons return home to host a pair of games at Interbay Stadium next week. They play Simon Fraser on Thursday, Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m. before a clash with 10th-ranked Western Washington on Oct. 9.
 
NCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER
Thursday, September 30, 2021
WOU Soccer Field / Monmouth, Ore.
 
at Western Oregon 1, #7 Seattle Pacific 0 (ot)
 
Scoring – 1, WOU, Lilly Nowatzke (Chloe Smith), 95:57.
 
                        1   2  OT  --  TOTAL
Seattle Pacific         0   0   0  --    0
Western Oregon          0   0   1  --    1
 
Shots – SPU 16, WOU 14.
Shots on Goal – SPU 4, WOU 5.
Saves – SPU 4 (Riley Travis), WOU 4 (Emily Wheeler).
Corner Kicks – SPU 8, WOU 1.
Fouls – SPU 15, WOU 20.
Offsides – SPU 3, WOU 0.
 
Records
Seattle Pacific 5-1-0,  2-1-0 GNAC
Western Oregon 2-5-0,  1-2-0 GNAC
 
Next SPU Women's Soccer Game
Seattle Pacific at Saint Martin's
Saturday, October 2, 1:00 p.m.
Saints Field / Lacey, Wash.