SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team opened its season by beating ninth-ranked Point Loma 1-0 on Thursday night, powered by what proved to be the game-winning goal from
Taylor Krueger, while
Mercedes Cullen and the defense shut out the Sea Lions.
FROM THE COACH
"What an awesome way to start the season," head coach
Arby Busey said. "It was a great soccer game between two good teams. Fun to get a game like this right out of the gate. We faced a huge challenge tonight. Point Loma was very good, we have so much respect for how they play. Massive effort from our group defensively, we had our hands full all night and worked really hard to keep the shutout. Mercedes [Cullen] in goal and our back four did a fantastic job when called upon, as well as communicating to organize the players in front of them. We created some quality chances and Taylor [Krueger] did a great job of finding the back of the net for us."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In the 22nd minute, Andie Buckley sent a ball down the right sideline that was run down by Krueger.
- Krueger gathered and punched it past the keeper with a low liner into the left side of the net.
FROM THE BOX SCORE
- Krueger led the Falcons with five shots on Thursday.
- Three of Krueger's those shots were on goal.
- Grace Gouran, Kayla Wallace, and Maya Parman each sent in one shot each.
- Mercedes Cullen stood tall against the Sea Lion attack, making four saves and earning the shutout.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Taylor Krueger scored the first goal of the season for the Falcons in 2024 before doing it again in 2025.
- Krueger's goal was the 11th of her career with the Falcons, and was the third game-winner of her career.
- Cullen recorded the 12th shutout of her career in Thursday's 1-0 win over Point Loma.
UP NEXT
The Falcons hit the road for two matches in Denver, Colo., next week. SPU takes on MSU Denver on Sept. 11 at 5:00 p.m. PST followed by a match against Regis on Sept. 13 at 12:00 p.m. PST.
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