SEATTLE – Great Northwest Athletic Conference play rolls on for the SPU women's soccer team this weekend at Interbay Stadium. The Falcons host Western Oregon on Thursday followed by a match against Saint Martin's on Saturday. Both matches start at 7 p.m.
 
WHAT'S THE STORY THIS WEEK
The Falcons have a chance to defend their home field this weekend in more early-season GNAC matches.
 
The Falcons return to Interbay Stadium after splitting their first weekend against conference foes. After a quiet first half against MSU Billings last Thursday, the Falcons dominated the final 45 minutes, earning a 3-0 win. Sophie Beadle, Marissa Bankey, and Rylee Pierce scored against the Yellowjackets.
 
The Falcons defended well against the 'Jackets, keeping them to five shots for the game. Mercedes Cullen played the full 90 minutes and made three saves. She picked up her third clean sheet of the season.
 
Things did not go as well against Northwest Nazarene last Saturday. Lauren Forster netted a goal off an assist from Jacqueline Blakeley, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Nighthawks. NNU took the match 3-1. 
 
The Falcons will have to respond quickly, as they welcome Western Oregon and Saint Martin's to Interbay and Thursday and Saturday respectively. Both teams have done well early in 2022. However, the recent, and not-so-recent trends favor the Falcons. 
 
Since 2001, the Wolves are 0-19 in road matches against the Falcons. SPU is 8-2 in their last 10 meetings. The Saints have had a rough time with the Falcons for a while now. SPU hold a 25-match win streak over the Saints since 2008. 
 
Trends aside, the Falcons have another weekend to establish themselves as a top team in the GNAC. They'll get to do so on their home field. The action starts Thursday at 7 p.m. against Western Oregon. 
 
SCOUTING THE WESTERN OREGON WOLVES (4-1-1, 1-1 GNAC)
The Wolves entered the year picked fourth in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll. They've launched themselves onto the radar of many, picking up wins over #20 Sonoma State and Colorado Mesa. WOU climbed to No. 8 on the United Soccer Coaches Rankings in their first poll of the year but has fallen out of the top 25 since. 
 
Briana Kubli and Leeci Snyder lead the Wolves with two goals each. Six of their teammates have scored one goal each. Olivia Holdenried has had a strong season in goal, making 28 saves on her way to a .824 save percentage. 
 
SCOUTING THE SAINT MARTIN'S SAINTS (2-2-1, 0-1-1 GNAC)
The Saints were picked to finish eighth in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll, but have performed well throughout the first month of matches. They picked up non-conference wins against Colorado Mesa and CSU Monterey Bay. Before meeting the Falcons on Saturday, the Saints travel to Billings for a match on Thursday at noon against the Yellowjackets. 
 
Maria Pagnotta leads the squad with two goals in 2022. Alyssa Carapia, Ellison Kephart, and Brianna Yamada have scored a goal each for the Saints. Ali Campigotto and Soph Mendoza have split time between the posts for the Saints. Campigotto has faced just 30 shots this season and touts a .938 save percentage.