SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team has one game on their schedule this weekend, but it's a big one. The Falcons travel to Golden, Colo. to take on #2 Colorado School of Mines on Saturday at 5 p.m. PST.  
   
QUOTABLE
"We are excited about the opportunity to travel to Colorado and play the Colorado School of Mines. We had a great game against them here last fall and are looking forward to a great challenge down in Colorado on Saturday. These games help prepare our group for the rest of our season together. Taking on a high-quality opponent, on the road, will be very difficult but will help us continue to grow into the team we want to be." - Head Coach Arby Busey
   
LAST TIME OUT
The Falcons made the trip to northern California for two matches against California Collegiate Athletic Association opponents. 
 
Last weekend began with a 1-0 win over San Francisco State on Thursday. Moira MacKay was the hero, as Taylor Krueger set up the 81st-minute game-winner. Landry Schoennauer collected her first collegiate shutout. She faced just two shots and made one crucial save for SPU. 
 
The Falcons did all they could to take down Chico State on Saturday, but walked away with an unlucky result. They were credited with 21 shots, as nine came in the first half before 12 more in the second. Five of those shots were on frame. The Falcons created chances with five corner kicks. Somehow, the Falcons didn't find a way to score against the Wildcats, falling 1-0. 
  
STANDOUT STATISTICS
Through two weeks, the Falcons are one of the best offensive teams in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. They lead the conference in points (18) and goals (7) and are second in assists with four. 
  
SPU features a few individuals at or near the top in a few categories. Sophie Beadle is tied for the lead in assists with two. Jacqueline Blakeley's four points and two goals tie for the second most in the conference in both areas. Schoennauer leads the league in saves with 14. 
 
ABOUT THE OREDIGGERS
The Orediggers experienced a successful 2022 season, going 18-2-3 with a 10-0-2 record in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). They took the regular season and tournament championships, before hosting and winning the South Central Regional title. 
 
Head coach Kevin Fickes was named the RMAC coach of the year a season ago. He brings back nine starters for the 2023 season. Standouts include All-American Reese McDermott and RMAC Freshman of the Year Afton Rasco. Mines are picked to win the RMAC with nine first-place votes and 131 points in their preseason coaches poll. 
 
They've lived up to the hype early in 2023, touting a 3-0-1 record entering the weekend. The United Soccer Coaches have taken notice, putting the Orediggers at #2 in the country in their most recent poll. Mines has outscored their opponents 14-2, with all three wins coming in 4-0 shutouts. The Orediggers take on defending national champions Western Washington on Thursday before hosting the Falcons on Saturday.