SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team spends another weekend on the road by heading south for two matches this weekend. The Falcons travel to Western Oregon on Thursday for a match at 3 p.m. On Saturday, it'll be a much shorter trip for SPU as they face Saint Martin's at 2 p.m.
QUOTABLE
"We did a great job this past week of doing just enough to get the results on the road. We play two good opponents in extremely challenging environments. We must show tremendous grit and resilience like we did last weekend to achieve our desired results. Last weekend was extremely arduous travel-wise, and I think surviving that and getting six points has built our confidence. We remember how difficult each of this week's opponents was when we played them in Seattle and expect them to be even more difficult on the road. One of our group's strengths is its willingness to prepare. They will work extremely hard this week in training in anticipation of the weekend ahead." - head coach Arby Busey.
LAST TIME OUT
The Falcons picked up six valuable points on the road last weekend with a pair of 2-1 wins. They took down Simon Fraser last Thursday. SPU needed to come from behind against the Red Leafs despite being on the attack for most of the match.
SPU leveled the match in the 64th minute. Lauren Forster worked the ball down the left side of the field before sending it toward Sophie Beadle. Beadle ran down the middle and got a foot to Forster's pass. Beadle's shot ricocheted off Red Leaf defenders before sneaking into the goal. It was an own goal that leveled the score 1-1.
Taylor Krueger supplied Thursday's game-winning goal. Kayla Wallace sent a cross from the left side into the six-yard box. Krueger got her head to the ball and put it on the right side of the net.
On Saturday, the Falcons scored two early goals to beat MSU Billings 2-1. It didn't take long for SPU to get on the board in the third minute. Again, Beadle was working down the sideline when she sent the ball toward the box. Lauren Snedeker got a foot to it and put it in the back of the net. Snedeker's goal was her first of the season.
Heit's goal came in the 12th minute of Saturday's match. Beadle created the chance with a pass toward Heit. She received the pass and scored for the Falcons. The goal put the Falcons up 2-0 and proved to be the game-winner for SPU.
MOVING UP THE RECORD BOOKS
Sophie Beadle earned assists on both goals for the Falcons on Saturday. She entered the day as the conference's assist leader with five this season. With seven assists in 2023, Beadle has 25 career assists for the Falcons. She moved into a tie with Shannon Oakes (08) and Jocelyn Charette (09) for fifth all-time.
UNITED SOCCER COACHES NATIONAL TOP 25 POLL
The Falcons continue to move up in the United Soccer Coaches National Top poll. The team now ranks 22nd in the nation. SPU is the only GNAC team in this week's poll.
LEADING THE GNAC
The Falcons lead the GNAC women's soccer standings. They are in sole possession of first place with a 6-0-2 conference record and 20 points to their name. Western Washington sits in second place with a 5-1-2 GNAC record and 17 points.
ABOUT THE WOLVES
The Wolves own a 7-2-3 overall record and have gone 4-2-2 in conference play. Their 14 points put them in third in the standings. The team has been strong all season and has spent time in the USC National Top 25 poll. The defense has been the driver for the Wolves, as they've allowed just .83 goals per game to opponents this year.
The Falcons and the Wolves met on Oct. 7. WOU was ranked 24th in the country at the time of the game. Blakeley's brace gave the Falcons enough offense to earn a hard-fought draw.
ABOUT THE SAINTS
The Saints are 3-3-6 and sport a 1-2-5 conference record. Eight points has them tied for fifth, just two points behind Simon Fraser. The Saints have played well defensively, allowing less than a goal per game this season. SMU is scoring just .67 goals per game in 2023.
The Falcons and the Saints played on Oct. 5. SPU had several chances before walking away with a 1-0 victory. Moira MacKay made a great run to score the game-winning goal. It was one of three game-winners MacKay has contributed this season. The mark is the best in the conference.
