ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team traveled east to compete in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference tournament on Thursday night, where a quick start from Simon Fraser stunned the Falcons as the Red Leafs completed the upset 4-2 to advance to the tournament final.

The Falcons fell behind early against the Red Leafs. Mikayla Tupper scored in the third minute of the match to put SFU up 1-0. Then in the 35th minute, it was Kate Cartier who added to her team's lead. Noemie Ntumba Merlen scored in the 40th minute to put the Red Leafs up 3-0.

"We did not get off to a good start and found ourselves behind," Head Coach Arby Busey said. "We had a challenging time catching up to an opponent that was on fire tonight. We must give them credit, and we must take some responsibility as well.

The Falcons got a goal back in the 43rd minute of the match. Kayla Wallace passed the ball to Andie Buckley, who finished with her third goal of the season. The goal shifted the score to 3-1 where it would be at halftime.

The Falcons were the aggressors in the second half. They served 13 of their 19 shots in the second half. Still, they couldn't draw to within one.

The Red Leafs added to their lead in the 73rd minute. Tupper scored off an assist from Sarah Caravatte. SPU trailed by three goals with just over 15 minutes to play.

SPU's leading goal-scorer came through in the 89th minute of the match. Jacqueline Blakeley ripped a shot that found the back of the net. Taylor Krueger assisted on the goal. That brought the score to its final point, with SPU trailing 4-2.

"I still love the team that I have," Busey added. "I hope we've done enough to get the opportunity to continue. We just weren't ourselves tonight in a lot of ways. It's unfortunate."

The Falcons turn their attention to the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 13 at 3:30 p.m. PST.