SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team returns to Interbay Soccer Stadium for two Great Northwest Athletic Conference matches this weekend. The Falcons host Northwest Nazarene on Thursday at 4 p.m. followed by a meeting with Central Washington on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
RECORDS ARE MEANT TO BE… TIED?
Mercedes Cullen put herself in the SPU women's soccer program's record books against Western Washington last Saturday night. It started in the first half when the Vikings were relentless offensively, sending 17 shots, with seven being on goal. Cullen's seven saves tied the program record set by Jennifer Hull against Cal State Dominguez Hills in 2001.
Cullen stayed active in the second half. The Vikings continued to attack with 13 shots with seven more shots on goal. Cullen tied the single-game save record with 13 saves. Molly Stinson made 13 saves on Oct. 29, 2016, against Concordia Portland.
Cullen was selected as one of two SPU Athletics Falcons of the Week for her performance. She ranks second in the GNAC with 30 saves this season. Five saves per game ranks Cullen third in the conference.
SCORING HOWEVER SHE WANTS
Taylor Krueger started GNAC play with a goal in each game last weekend. Krueger scored the eventual game-winner in the 63
rd minute against Montana State University Billings last Thursday.
Lauren Snedeker set it up with an assist on Krueger's goal. The goal was the second of the season for Krueger, who is halfway to her 2023 total of four goals.
Krueger put the Falcons on the board in the 21st minute against Western Washington. Krueger gathered the ball near midfield and took it down the middle of the field, dribbling through multiple defenders. She used the right foot to get it past the keeper. Krueger's goal gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead.
BEST IN THE NORTHWEST
The Falcons enter the weekend with the most goal scored in the GNAC. SPU has scored 14 goals, two more than next-closest MSU Billings.
Kayla Wallace leads the GNAC with five goals scored in 2024. Three of which came against Cal Poly Humboldt on Sept. 7.
Moira MacKay and Krueger are tied for second with three goals each.
Maya Parman and Krueger share the top spot in the GNAC in assists. Both have dished out two assists so far this season.
ABOUT NORTHWEST NAZARENE
Northwest Nazarene checked in at fifth in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll. The Nighthawks narrowly missed out on the GNAC Championships last fall, going 4-7-7 overall and 4-5-5 in conference play (17 points) to place fifth. Mary (Trigg) Ybarguen begins her 11th season in charge of the program, as the Nighthawks will look for their third tournament berth in four seasons after making it to the championships in 2021 and 2022.
Reigning GNAC Freshman of the Year Nicole Lewis, who led the team with six assists while adding three goals in 2023, is back on the roster after starting 17 of 18 matches last fall. Alejandra Jaramillo has proved a consistent offensive presence throughout her career, delivering six goals (two in 2023) and four assists as she gears up for her fifth collegiate season.
ABOUT CENTRAL WASHINGTON
Central Washington placed sixth in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll. The Wildcats went 3-12-4 overall and placed seventh in the GNAC standings with a conference record of 2-8-4 (10 points).
The Wildcats return five of their top six point getters from 2023, including Honorable Mention All-Conference selections Casey Park and Sami Huber. Park started all 19 matches last fall, leading the Wildcats with four goals during 2023. Huber was a standout freshman, earning 10 starts and netting a pair of goals in her first season on the pitch. Senior Emily Darcy is back after leading the team with eight points, while seniors Paige Savage (two goals, one assist) and Lily Newberry (one goal, two assists) are key veterans that CWU leans on offensively.
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