SEATTLE - The Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team earned the result they wanted in their season opening match against San Francisco State on Thursday night, as Sophie Beadle's early goal proved to be the difference in the team's 1-0 victory over the Gators.
"I think it's really good to get that first game in," head coach Arby Busey said. "I think there were a little bit of first game jitters. We've played a few preseason games, but with not as much on the line as there was tonight. Once we got settled down and into the game, I think we grew into it and got better and better as time went on. I'm pleased with how much we grew from minute one through the end of the game tonight."
During the 2021 season, Beadle established herself as a key contributor for the Falcons. She netted eight goals and dished out five assists on her way to earning Honorable Mention from the GNAC. Beadle resumed her offensive production from 2021 in 2022's season opener on Thursday.
In the 10th minute of the match, Lauren Forster had the ball on the far left side of the field as the Falcons were on the attack. Forster caught the SF State defender in between with a pass forward to Chloe Gellhaus just outside the box. Gellhaus found herself with Beadle in a two-on-one, and dumped the ball off to her teammate for the goal that would prove to be the game-winner.
"You never know when those game-winners are going to come," Busey said. "We'll take it early; we'll take it late. It was a really good move from us that put her in a spot where she could finish. She's going to be someone we can count on to score and create goals. It's great to get her on the board early in the game and in the season and kind of get her going because she is someone who can be a nuisance for opponents."
The match belonged to the Falcons, as they controlled both the ball and tempo of the match. The Falcon and Gators both fired five shots in the first half, before SPU gained a 6-2 advantage in shots in the second half. The Falcons also earned a slight edge in corners, as they attempted four to their visitors' three.
Mercedes Cullen got the start in goal tonight for the Falcons, the first of her career. The true freshman did what she needed to do, leading a stout defense with two saves. The clean sheet, like the start, was the first of her career.
"Our defense did a good job of keeping them off balance, that there wasn't a consistent threat," Busey added. "They had a chance in the second half where [Mercedes] made a great save diving to her right. She's capable of that. We've seen it in practice and she's performed well beyond her years thus far. She's been a great leader with a great voice back there that keeps us organized, and it was great to get that clean sheet in her first start."
The Falcons are back at Interbay Stadium this Saturday at 4 p.m. as they host Chico State in another non-conference match.
