SEATTLE – The final stretch of the regular season for the Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team starts on I-5 this weekend as the Falcons travel to nearby Lacey for a match against Saint Martin's on Thursday at 2 p.m. followed by a rare morning match against Western Oregon on Saturday at 11 a.m.
WHAT'S THE STORY THIS WEEK
The Falcons showcased an ability to adapt last week when poor air quality moved match dates and times. That led to a unique week of matches for SPU. They ran into challenges against No. 7 Western Washington. The team bounced back with their largest goal total of the season with a 6-2 victory over Simon Fraser in a rescheduled match that took place Monday afternoon.
Now the Falcons turn their attention to the final two weekends of the regular season. The team has the opportunity to build momentum heading into the Great Northwest Athletic Conference tournament. The event takes place in Nampa, Idaho, and runs Nov. 3-5.
It's hard to ignore how well the Falcons are playing offensively after Monday's match. SPU is all over the top half of the GNAC statistical categories. They rank second in points (75), third in goals (26), and lead the league in assists (23).
Individual performances have powered the Falcon offense. Sophie Beadle's four goals and four assists give her 12 points, the third most in the conference. Beadle and Jacqueline Blakeley tied for the fifth-most goals in the conference with four each. Beadle and Kathryn Nyone's four assists are tied for second most in the conference, while three assists each from Chloe Gellhaus and Lauren Forster are tied for seventh in the conference.
Lately, plenty of good things have been happening for the Falcons. With the regular-season winding down, they'll be working toward continuing those trends. It starts this weekend at Saint Martin's on Thursday at 2 p.m.
SCOUTING THE SAINT MARTIN'S SAINTS (4-8-1, 2-7-1 GNAC)
The Saints enter the week in seventh in the GNAC standings with seven points. They trail Simon Fraser and Western Oregon that sit in fourth with nine points.
The Falcons met the Saints at Interbay Stadium on Sept. 24. SPU controlled most of the match in what turned into a 3-1 victory. Marissa Bankey, Toni Miranda, and Blakeley each scored a goal for the Falcons.
The Saints have played several close games this season. They've allowed 1.31 goals per game to their opponents and are averaging a goal per game. Maria Pagnotta leads the Saints with five goals on the season, tied for third-most in the conference.
SCOUTING THE WESTERN OREGON WOLVES (5-5-4, 2-5-3 GNAC)
The Wolves are tied for the final spot in the GNAC women's soccer tournament held in Nampa, Idaho this year. They own a 2-5-3 conference record, giving them nine points. They're tied with Simon Fraser.
SPU and WOU played each other on Sept. 22 in Seattle. Forster scored an early goal that gave the Falcons the lead. Blakeley scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 15th minute of the match. The Falcons took down the Wolves 2-1.
Like the Saints, the Wolves have played tight matches all year long. They're allowing 1.43 goals per game, but are scoring 1.14 goals per game. It's a balanced attack from the Wolves, as Briana Kubli, Chloe Smith, and Savannah Taylor lead the team with three goals each.
