Tuesday, September 11, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. - It’s only the conference season opener, but Thursday’s 3:30 p.m. game between Seattle Pacific and Montana State Billings could have major implications  in the GNAC conference women’s soccer race.

The two teams come into the game at Billings ranked sixth and seventh in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America West Region poll.  MSUB is off to a 4-0 start and is ranked sixth, while defending champion Seattle Pacific (3-1) is ranked seventh

In Thursday’s other conference openers, Central Washington plays at Northwest Nazarene, Simon Fraser visits Saint Martin’s and Western Washington plays at Western Oregon.

Two More Shutouts for Arthur

Western Washington goalkeeper Jamie Arthurs needed to make just two saves in recording her 25th and 26th career shutouts last weekend as the Vikings posted 2-0 wins over Hawaii Pacific and Azusa Pacific.

She currently ranks third in GNAC history in shutouts trailing only Teresa Fish of Western Washington and Maddie Dickinson of Seattle Pacific.  Fish had 31 during the 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007 seasons.  Dickinson had 28 between 2007 and 2010. 

Arthurs moved ahead of Jennifer Hull of Seattle Pacific, who had 25 between 2001 and 2004. 

Jessica Bertucci had the game-winning goals in both contests and was selected the GNAC Red Lion Offensive Player of the Week.

Natalie Harold of Seattle Pacific had five saves, including one to preserve a shutout of Azusa Pacific and was selected the Red Lion Defensive Player-of-the-Week.

“Natalie took away a sure goal from Azusa with an amazing save,” SPU coach Chuck Sekyra said.

GNAC Players-of-the-Week