NAMPA, Idaho – The Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team met host Northwest Nazarene in the semifinals of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday night. The Nighthawks fed off the home field and crowd advantage, turning it into enough offense to beat the Falcons 2-1 and advance to the tournament finals.
"It stings to lose this time of year because it's so abrupt when your season ends," head coach Arby Busey said. "I think there are so many teams that would give anything to get the opportunity to be in the postseason. We earned that opportunity. The environment here was fantastic. NNU is putting on a great event, and this atmosphere propelled them and gave them that little bit to be better than us and get us 2-1."
The Falcons found themselves in a tough spot early in the match. The Nighthawks had the ball inside the 18-yard box and were trying to set up a shot. Suddenly the ball became loose, and Mercedes Cullen came out to make a play on it. She dove near the six-yard box, but Savanna Herz was able to chip it over Cullen for a goal. The creative finish gave the Nighthawks a 1-0.
The Falcons responded in the 13th minute. A free kick was sent to Kathryn Nyone who moved the ball to Sophie Beadle. Beadle made a move toward the middle of the field, creating just enough space to fire a shot. Beadle ripped a perfect line drive that was out of the reach of the keeper, snaping the top right corner of the net for a goal. Quickly, the game was tied 1-1.
NNU's Madison Grande led the conference in goals scored this season with 10 entering the tournament. She showcased her skill on what proved to be the game-winning goal.
The Nighthawks possessed the ball before it ended up at the feet of Grande. She was on the left side of the field, but still 25 yards away from the goal. Grande turned toward the middle and launched a shot on goal. Cullen made a leaping effort to get a hand on it, but it snuck past for the goal. The rocket of a goal propelled NNU to a 2-1 lead over SPU.
SPU had a great chance in the second half after a foul from the Nighthawks set up a free kick. Marissa Bankey took it from just outside the 18-yard box. The ball was on frame but scooped up by the NNU keeper.
The Falcons had one half left to draw even in the match. They escaped a scary situation in the 79th minute. NNU's Ashley Parton stood ever a penalty kick attempt that rattled off the crossbar. The ball went started up and came down in the arms of Cullen. The crucial snag kept the score parked at 2-1.
The Falcons fought through to the end of the match. In the 88th minute, Lauren Snedeker sent a shot in that missed just high. A minute later, the Falcons had an opportunity on a corner kick. They couldn't muster a shot off it and ultimately were eliminated from the tournament.
"We were optimistic until the end," Busey said. "I love the way the team fought until the end. Those are the things we'll remember about this group. They fought hard for each other in those moments where the game was on the line."
