SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Seattle Pacific at Chico State
7:00 p.m. PDT, University Soccer Stadium, Chico, Calif.
     • LiveStats:  http://www.chicowildcats.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
     • No Webcast
 
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Seattle Pacific at San Francisco State
3:00 p.m. PDT, Cox Stadium, San Francisco, Calif.
     • Webcast:  http://www.ccaanetwork.com/sfsu
     • LiveStats:  http://www.sfstategators.com/livestats_wsoc
 
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Seattle Pacific at Stanislaus State
7:00 p.m. PDT, Warrior Stadium, Turlock, Calif.
     • Webcast:  https://ccaanetwork.com/stan/
     • LiveStats:  http://sidearmstats.com/csustan/wsoc/
 
A trio of games in California open the 2021 women's soccer season for Seattle Pacific, which went undefeated (8-0-1) during the abbreviated, pandemic-altered 2020-21 campaign. College soccer returns to the traditional fall format. The Falcons (0-0-0), who start their schedule a week later than most NCAA Division II competitors, visit Chico State (2-0-0) on Saturday, Sept. 11 for a 7:00 p.m. clash. SPU then travels to San Francisco State (0-3-0) on Thursday, Sept. 16 at 3:00 p.m. and Stanislaus State (1-1-0) on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 7:00 p.m. Those are the only non-league outings this year for the Falcons, who begin Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at home on Sept. 23 against Montana State Billings. SPU seeks a return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018 after narrowly missing a berth in 2019 and no playoffs being contested last season due to COVID.
 
Season Openers
Seattle Pacific begins its 21st year of women's soccer competition with a 15-3-2 record in season-opening games. The Falcons had a five-game winning streak in openers halted with a 1-0 setback versus Rogers on Sept. 5, 2019 in St. George, Utah, but got back on track last year with a 4-0 win over Puget Sound on March 27 in Seattle.

AVA GIOVANOLA INTERVIEW

Throw-Ins
• The Falcons ranked No. 2 nationally in goals per game last season at 4.33, trailing only Grand Valley State (5.33). That was a school-record scoring rate, topping the previous mark of 2.80 from 2005
 
• Sophia Chilczuk topped all NCAA D-II players in assist average (1.0) and ranked 4th in goals (1.25)
 
• Ten different Falcons scored a goal last season and six of them compiled three-or-more scores
 
• Claire Neder (4), Sophia Chilczuk (3) and Chloe Gellhaus (2) had multiple two-goal games
 
• Five Falcons collected seven GNAC Player of the Week awards last year: Sophia Chilczuk (Mar. 29/Apr. 5), Claire Neder (Apr. 19/May 17), Ally Veenhuizen (Apr. 5), Sophie Beadle (May 3) and Ava Giovanola (May 17)
 
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 by a combined 39-7 margin. 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. SPU posted a 12-8-0 mark in 2019 and placed second in the GNAC standings at 9-3-0. Ten different Falcons netted a goal last season 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 five talented incoming freshmen bolster the stellar starting lineup that returns intact.
 
Upcoming Opponents
Chico State (2-0-0) -- The Wildcats allowed just one goal to sweep two season-opening road games last week at Azusa Pacific (1-0) and Biola (3-1). Susanna Garcia tops the team with two goals and one assist. Goalkeeper Emma Hofmann has one shutout and a 0.50 goals against average. In her 21st year at Chico, and 27th at an NCAA school, Kim Sutton boasts 245 career coaching victories. SPU owns a 10-2-4 series lead and the teams played to a scoreless draw in the last meeting, on Sept. 6, 2018 in Chico.
 
San Francisco State (0-3-0) -- The Gators lost their opener 4-0 at Azusa Pacific before suffering 1-0 losses to Point Loma and Hawaii-Hilo. They are scoreless while surrendering six goals. SPU won the last four encounters to take a 4-1-1 advantage in the all-time series. The Falcons were 4-1 road victors on Sept. 8, 2018 in the last matchup.
 
Stanislaus State (1-1-0) -- The Warriors lost 1-0 at Biola in their opener before winning 2-0 at home versus Fresno Pacific. Julia Cummings netted both goals for SSU. Goalkeeper Amanda Leal compiled one shutout and a 0.50 goals against average. The series is tied 1-1-0 with SPU getting a 7-1 victory in the first meeting, on Sept. 1, 2007 in Seattle. Stanislaus won the last matchup on Nov. 13, 2014 in the first round of the NCAA playoffs, a 2-1 overtime decision in Bellingham.
 
Coach Busey
Arby Busey is in his 16th year on the Seattle Pacific staff and his seventh as head coach. In the abbreviated 2021 season, he directed the Falcons to an 8-0-1 record and No. 5 final ranking. Busey has a 57-31-9 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.