SEATTLE – After securing a spot in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Tournament, the Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team moves into the last weekend of the regular season, which caps by celebrating six seniors before Saturday's match against Northwest Nazarene at 4:30 p.m.  
 
GNAC WOMEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT
This year's GNAC Women's Soccer Tournament is hosted by NNU in Nampa, Idaho from Nov. 3-5. The Falcons are locked into the tournament, along with NNU and Western Washington. The final five schools are separated by six points as the last spot is decided this weekend.
 
THE PAST FOUR YEARS
The Falcons celebrate Kaitlynn Knocke, Ally Veenhuizen, Brooklyn Morrison, AJ DePinto, Toni Miranda, and Callie Rheaume before Saturday's match. The group has faced unique challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic, shortened seasons, chaotic schedules, and online learning.
 
They've also been a part of great successes. The Falcons are locked into their third consecutive GNAC Tournament. The team won it all in 2021 and continued to win, knocking off WWU 2-1 in the 2021 NCAA West Region Finals. The success isn't over, as they look to finish strong in this weekend's regular season finale and into the postseason.
 
QUOTABLE 
"We are so excited about the opportunity to honor our amazing seniors on Saturday afternoon," head coach Arby Busey said "Their impact on this program will linger long after they graduate. They have brought us so much joy to us every day, and we will miss that about this group of women. They have represented SPU extremely well during their time here, and we are confident that will continue to be the case as they move on into bright futures."
 
ABOUT THE SENIORS 
Knocke has appeared in 14 matches for the Falcons, playing 567 minutes in goal. She's made 17 saves and owns a record of 4-0-1. She has two shutouts in her career.
 
Veenhauzien has appeared in 47 matches for the Falcons, playing 1,255 minutes. She's made three assists and has sent 66.7 percent of her shot attempts on goal. Veenhauzien has earned GNAC All-Academic honors three times while at SPU.
 
Morrison has appeared in 23 matches for the Falcons, playing 484 minutes. She's made one assist and has sent 60 percent of her shot attempts on goal.
 
DePinto has appeared in 56 matches for the Falcons, playing 1,641 minutes. She's scored seven goals and dished out three assists for 17 points over her career. DePinto earned GNAC All-Academic honors once while at SPU.
 
Miranda has appeared in 60 matches for the Falcons, playing 1,967 minutes. She's scored five goals and dished out four assists for 14 points over her career. Miranda earned GNAC All-Academic honors twice while at SPU.
 
Rheaume has appeared in 21 matches for the Falcons, playing 586 minutes. She's scored one goal and has dished out two assists for four points over her career. Rheaume earned GNAC All-Academic honors twice while at SPU.
 
SCOUTING THE CENTRAL WASHINGTON WILDCATS (3-9-4, 2-7-3 GNAC)
The Wildcats are on the outside looking in toward the GNAC Tournament entering the final regular season weekend. They have nine points and are chasing Simon Fraser who has 13 points and is in the fourth and final spot. They'll have to take down the Falcons on Thursday at 3 p.m. in Ellensburg to keep their hopes alive.
 
The Falcons' offense proved to be too much for the Wildcats at Interbay Stadium on Oct. 6. Lauren Snedeker, Miranda, and Sophie Beadle scored goals to beat their opponents 3-1.
 
The Wildcats are allowing 1.88 goals per game while scoring less than a goal per game. Emily Darcy has lived up to preseason expectations, leading the team with six goals, two assists, and 14 points.
 
SCOUTING THE NORTHWEST NAZARENE NIGHTHAWKS
The Nighthawks are in the GNAC Tournament. They're in second place with 27 points trailing only the Vikings of Western Washington who leads the league with 32 points.
 
The Falcons played the Nighthawks during the first weekend of conference play on Sept. 17. NNU scored three times during the match, while Lauren Forster was the only player to score for SPU.
 
The Nighthawks have been stout defensively, allowing just .56 goals per game. Alexis Montoya has made 50 saves this season, and has a save percentage of 86.2. They are scoring well too, averaging 1.88 goals per game. Both Ashley Parton and Madison Grande are tied for a team-high eight goals.