ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team visited Central Washington on Thursday night, where a late goal from Nora Patterson punched the Falcons ticket to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference tournament as they beat the Wildcats 2-1.
SPU's 2-1 victory over CWU sends the Falcons to the GNAC Tournament for the 12 time in program history. The Falcons have never missed a GNAC Tournament. This year, the tournament takes place in Seattle at Interbay Soccer Stadium Nov. 14-16.
"It's exciting to officially qualify for the GNAC Tournament," head coach Arby Busey said. "We had to work hard for it tonight but put together a very good second half to get it done."
It took two second-half goals for the Falcons to secure their spot in the GNAC tournament. They trailed 1-0 before Taylor Krueger tied the match in the 50th minute. Kayla Wallace sent a ball into the middle of the field where Krueger went to work. She took a dribble before launching it past the CWU keeper for her fifth goal this season.
The Falcon's game-winning goal came in the 83rd minute. Nora Patterson continued her recent offensive tear and gave the Falcons the win. Landrey McCann sent the ball down the field from the back line. The CWU keeper came out to grab it, but Patterson went into a slide, got a foot to it, and scored from just outside the 18-yard box. It was Patterson's fourth goal of 2024.
The Falcons protected their 2-1 lead for the final six and a half minutes to get the win. SPU sent 32 shots toward the Wildcats, with 18 coming on goal. Mercedes Cullen faced seven shots, made five saves, and got her fifth win in goal for the Falcons.
The Falcons continue their road trip on Saturday when they visit Northwest Nazarene for a match at noon.
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