Thursday, September 10, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. - The 2015 women's soccer season started out strong for the GNAC, with three teams earning a 2-0 record in week one. Western Washington and Seattle Pacific headlined the week, each beginning the season with stellar defense with back-to-back shutouts. The Vikings were bumped up from No. 14 in the preseason poll to No. 7 in the NSCAA Division II National Poll, while the Falcons, who were previously unranked, entered the poll at No. 23.

Concordia finished the week on top of the standings along with WWU and SPU, winning its first two games as a member of the GNAC. Simon Fraser won its only game of the week and Western Oregon's offense exploded for seven goals against Warner Pacific and nine goals for the week.

Montana State Billings' forward/midfielder Jessica Spang was named the GNAC Offensive Player of the Week with a goal and game-winning assist. Seattle Pacific's defender Shayla Page was named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week after leading the Falcons' dominant defensive performances.

Looking ahead, seven of the 10 GNAC teams hit the road in non-conference matchups before conference play heats up Sept. 19. Seattle Pacific and Concordia look to stay unbeaten Thursday, with matches against Notre Dame de Namur and Chico State respectively, while Saint Martin's and Central Washington will each host Stanislaus and Cal State Monterey Bay over the weekend.

LAST WEEK'S GAMES
THURS., SEPT. 3
CHICO STATE 2, SAINT MARTIN’S 0: The Saints’ season started out rough with a 2-0 loss to Chico State. Saint Martin’s did have the advantage in shots 10-6, but lost the shots on goal battle 5-4. Goalkeeper Sunny DeBoer made two saves and Abby McFaul and Hannah Frakes each put two shots on net. Full Recap

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS 3, CARROLL 2 (OT): The Yellowjackets received a gift first goal of the season as Carroll put the ball in their own net. Carroll responded with a goal of their own, but the Yellowjackets reclaimed the lead with a goal off the foot of Jessica Spang. Carroll once again answered back to send the match to overtime, but MSUB got a golden goal in the 99th minute by Alycia Wright, assisted by Spang, to send the ‘Jackets off with the season-opening victory. Full Recap

SONOMA STATE 2, CENTRAL WASHINGTON 0: After battling for 52 minutes without a goal, Sonoma State got onto the board first against the Wildcats and never relinquished the lead. The Seawolves added an insurance goal in the 68th minute to seal their victory. Amanda White made six saves for the Wildcats as they were outshot 18-9 by Sonoma State. Full Recap

WESTERN OREGON 7, WARNER PACIFIC 0: The Wolves’ offense scored fast and often in a rout of Warner Pacific. Western Oregon led 5-0 at halftime and continued their offensive surge for the final 45 minutes. Vicky Cruz Rosales scored two goals and dished out two assists while Makana Pundyke potted her first two goals of the season. The Wolves outshot their opponent 17-5 as they could not be stopped offensively. Full Recap

SEATTLE PACIFIC 2, HUMBOLDT STATE 0: The Falcons kicked off their 2015 season with a shutout of Humboldt State. The defense was dominant, allowing seven total shots and just three on net, all of which goalkeeper Molly Stinson saved. Laura Moore scored the game-winning goal in the 54th minute and then set up her teammate Hannah Huesers for the insurance marker in the 63rd minute. Full Recap

CONCORDIA 4, NORTHWEST 1: The Cavaliers came away with a decisive win in their first official match as a member of the GNAC. Concordia scored the first four goals of the game before Northwest ended the shutout in the 83rd minute. Karlie Hurley tallied two goals for the Cavaliers, who outshot their opponent 16-8 for the match. Full Recap

WESTERN WASHINGTON 1, CAL BAPTIST 0 (OT): The Vikings needed just five minutes of extra time to defeat their opponents, as Catherine Miles scored the golden goal in the 95th minute off a pass from Stephanie Hamilton. The Vikings controlled the entire match, outshooting Cal Baptist 27-4, but put just 11 of their shots on net. Cal Baptist’s Sara Escobedo was difficult to beat, making 10 saves. Full Recap

FRI., SEPT. 4
REGIS 3, NORTHWEST NAZARENE 2 (OT): Friday’s lone contest saw the Crusaders take an overtime loss in their first match of the season. Goalkeeper Daniele Ortiz made nine saves, but could not keep the golden goal out in the 98th minute. Lexi Fesenbek led the team with three shots on goal, scoring her first goal of the season along with Laura Seymore. The Crusaders were outshot 22-9, but made the most of their opportunities to send the match to overtime. Full Recap

SAT., SEPT. 5
CENTRAL WASHINGTON 2, SAN FRANCISCO STATE 1: The Wildcats fell behind early in this match, giving up a ninth minute goal to SFSU, but a second-half comeback earned the team their first win of 2015. Reilly Retz scored the tying goal in the second half and Shaina Mitchell netted the game winner in the 88th minute. Shots were even for the game with nine apiece. Amanda White made three saves in the victory. Full Recap

SEATTLE PACIFIC 1, CHICO STATE 0: The Falcons earned their second-straight shutout to begin the season, holding their opponent to seven shots and just two on net. Brooke Lancaster netted the lone goal of the game in just the second minute of play. Molly Stinson earned her second shutout of the season making two saves. Full Recap

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS 0, MARY 0 (2OT): In their second-straight overtime game to start the season, the Yellowjackets were not able to find the net to come away with another win, but played stellar defense to earn the tie. The Yellowjackets were outshot 6-4, but each team put just three shots on net in a defensive battle. Lili Delgadillo earned the shutout with three saves over the 110 minute match. Full Recap

SUN, SEPT. 6
COLORADO STATE PUEBLO 1, WESTERN OREGON 0 (OT): After a seven-goal performance, the Wolves were not able to find the net in their second match of the season, losing a tight, defensive game in overtime in the 91st minute. The Wolves managed just three shots in the game with only one on net. Lindsey Mabinuori made three saves as the Wolves fell to 1-1 on the season. Full Recap

CONCORDIA 2, CAL BAPTIST 1: The Cavaliers used two first-half goals and a defensive second half to ride out their second win and remain undefeated in the early season. Shannon McMahon and Martha Heaps scored goals for the Cavaliers while Olivia Brock needed just three saves to earn her second win. Full Recap

SIMON FRASER 3, HUMBOLDT STATE 1: The sister duo of Christina and Allyson Dickson led the Clan in their first match of 2015. Christina scored two goals, including the game winner, while Allyson had a goal and an assist. Goalkeeper Priya Sandhu made five saves as the Clan outshot their opponent 18-9. Full Recap

WESTERN WASHINGTON 2, SONOMA STATE 0: Like their in-state rivals Seattle Pacific, the Vikings began their season with two straight shutouts. Western Washington was helped out by their opponent with a goal knocked into the net by a defending Sonoma State player, and Catherine Miles added her second goal of the season to send the Vikings to victory. Goalkeeper Ashley Haden made six saves in her second shutout. Full Recap

MON, SEPT. 7
REGIS 1, CENTRAL WASHINGTON 0: The Wildcats were shutout for the second time in three matches to start the season after outshooting their opponent 12-6. Just four of their shot attempts, however, were on net while Regis put all six at goaltender Amanda White, who made five saves. Regis took an early lead in the second half, netting the winning goal in the 53rd minute of play. Full Recap

NORTHWEST NAZARENE 2, SAN FRANCISCO STATE 0: Two second-half goals from Kelsey Martin sent the Crusaders to victory in a match with chances dominated by SFSU. The Crusaders were outshot 30-11 for the match and 11-4 in shots on goal, but were able to ride the hot goaltending of Daniele Ortiz and timely scoring by the offense. Full Recap

TUES., SEPT. 8
WESTERN OREGON 2, NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS 0: The Wolves earned their second shutout of the season in three games, advancing to 2-1 on the year. Lindsey Mabinuori recorded the shutout, needing to make just two saves. Vicky Cruz Rosales scored her third goal of the season while Allison Sprecher scored the game-winner in the 41st minute. Full Recap