SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team hosted both the Colorado School of Mines and Falcon Fest on Friday night. New SPU students filled Interbay Stadium and saw the Falcons outshoot the Orediggers and create more chances with corner kicks, but the visitors got a pair of goals on the counter to take the match 2-0.
The Falcons controlled most of the match 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. Ultimately, the Falcons fell to the counterattack from the Orediggers.
"We've got to give credit where it's due, and that's to Colorado School of Mines," head coach Arby Busey said. "Great gamelan, super disciplined, stuck to it, executed it to perfection and it led to a frustrating night for us. Especially in the first half, we got a lot of what we wanted to get and didn't have anything to show for it. We had some good moments in the second half but could not find a way to put the ball in the net tonight. As frustrating as that is, I'm proud of the effort we played with tonight. I thought we played extremely well, and there is a lot of good coming from this match."
After a Falcon foul, Reese McDermott sent a ball long down the middle of the field. Laura Butler was on the other end of the pass. She punched the ball past Mercedes Cullen for a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.
In the 40th minute, Amena Nelson added to the Oredigger lead. It was Afton Rasco who assisted on the goal. Another long pass forward led to Nelson's goal.
Tonight's match was a part of Falcon Fest, an event that happens during new student orientation. More than 500 new SPU students attended the match, offering energy and support to their peers.
"The atmosphere tonight was amazing," Busey added. "Our students that showed up tonight were fantastic. They gave us a ton of energy in the first half. What was able to do in that first half is due largely to the support they had given our student-athletes. It's such a fun environment to be at a place that is so supportive of everyone on campus. Unfortunately, we couldn't deliver them a win tonight, but their shouting and support were felt right down to our core, our soul, and our hearts tonight. It made a huge difference for us, and we're so blessed to be at a place like Seattle Pacific."
The Falcons move into Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on Thursday, Sept. 15 in Billings, Mont. They'll take on MSU Billings in a match that kicks off at 2 p.m.
