SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team opens Great Northwest Athletic Conference play this week with the longest road trip of the conference schedule. It starts with a match against MSU Billings on Thursday at 2 p.m. Then on Saturday, the Falcons take on Northwest Nazarene at noon.
WHAT'S THE STORY THIS WEEK
Last week's SPU women's soccer match was just one of those nights.
The Falcons controlled most of the match against Colorado School of Mines by possessing the ball. They created 17 shots to just eight from the Orediggers. There was a decided advantage in corner chances for the Falcons as well. They lined up eight set pieces during the match, while Mines had just three.
The match was a part of the new student orientation for SPU. More than 500 newcomers filled Interbay Stadium to cheer on their Falcons. The crowd created a fun and exciting atmosphere.
The only thing missing from last week's match was the result. Despite playing on their home field, in front of a huge crowd that watched the Falcons control the match, the visitors found a way to steal the game.
For the Falcons, nothing needs to change. They rank third in the conference in shots with 51 in just four matches played. Jacqueline Blakeley leads the team with 13 shots. Chloe Gellhaus is tied for second in the conference with two goals to her name. Sophie Beadle and Kayla Wallace have also netted goals for the Falcons.
The Falcons are also doing well defensively. They've earned two shutouts. Mercedes Cullen is tied for the top spot in the GNAC with two clean sheets.
As the Falcons open conference play, they'll look to avoid another one of those nights. Matches this week start with MSUB on Thursday at 2 p.m. and conclude on Saturday against NNU at noon.
SCOUTING THE MSU BILLINGS YELLOWJACKETS (0-3-2, 0-0 GNAC)
The Yellowjackets were selected for a sixth-place finish in this year's GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll. They'd repeat their finish in 2021 when they went 4-8-2 conference record (7-9-3 overall).
2021 GNAC Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-GNAC selection Liberty Palmer leads the Yellowjackets into action. She racked up five goals and one assist over 17 matches last season. The Yellowjackets also return goalkeeper Clare Keenan who posted a .778 save percentage last season with 74 saves.
After five matches in 2022, the Yellowjackets are still searching for their first victory. They played a pair of 1-1 ties against Minot State and Black Hills State last week. Newcomer Jackie Sharpe scored her first collegiate goal last week. So far, it's the only goal attributed to an individual Yellowjacket.
SCOUTING THE NORTHWEST NAZARENE NIGHTHAWKS (2-1-1, 0-0 GNAC)
The Nighthawks enter the 2022 season as the team is selected to finish third in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll. NNU is coming off a 10-5-3 2021 season with an 8-4-2 GNAC record. Eight starters return from a successful 2021.
Madison Grande returns after leading the team with nine goals and 19 points. She earned Second Team Unites Soccer Coaches All-West Region, and First Team All-GNAC honors a season ago. Ashley Parton returns after scoring five goals and dishing out four assists on her way to All-GNAC honors in 2021.
It's gone well for the Nighthawks thus far in 2022, as they've won 4-2 over Hawaii Pacific and earned a 2-1 victory over Westminster. Grande has returned to her goal-scoring self, netting three on the young season. Five other Nighthawks have scored once early in the 2022 season.
