Thursday, October 13, 2016
Since joining the GNAC in 2015, Concordia has not lost at Tuominen Yard in 14 matches and has only tied once. That home unbeaten streak goes all the way back 38 matches to 2012 when Concordia was in the NAIA.
The one tie on the Cavaliers’ home record since joining the GNAC, however, came in the 2015 home finale against then No. 2 Western Washington. When the teams meet again in Portland on Saturday, the Vikings will be boasting the No. 1 ranking in Division II.
When the two teams met earlier in the year, the Vikings were 2-1 winners at home, handing Concordia its first loss of 2016. On Saturday, Concordia could have the chance to return the favor against WWU, which brings an 11-match winning streak into the week.
Seattle Pacific, which is currently on the bubble for qualifying for the GNAC Championships, has a pair of crucial matches this week, travelling to Montana State Billings and then hosting Simon Fraser. The Falcons have been in the championship match each of the last three years.
The Yellowjackets will host Central Washington on Saturday in another match with implications for qualification into the GNAC Championships. Central Washington is currently in second place in the GNAC standings.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
Keilin Farrand, Central Washington
M• 5-5 • Senior • Ellensburg, Wash.
Farrand had two goals and an assist in the Wildcats’ two matches. She notched her league-lead tying fourth assist in Tuesday’s 1-1 tie with Seattle Pacific and scored two goals, including the game-winner, in the Wildcats’ 3-1 win on Sunday over Western Oregon.
Also Nominated: Taylor Higa (Western Oregon), Dana Lubieniecki (Montana State Billings), Kelli Bannerman (Saint Martin’s), Gabriela Pelogi (Western Washington), Kayla Braunthal (Concordia).
DEFENSE
Sierra Shugarts, Western Washington
D • 5-9 • Junior • Federal Way, Wash.
Shugarts earned the award for the second straight week as she led a WWU defense that allowed just one shot on goal in wins over Montana State Billings and Northwest Nazarene. She also notched the game-winner in both matches and has scored in the Vikings’ last three matches.
Also Nominated: Christian Dickson (Simon Fraser), Lili Delgadillo (Montana State Billings), Kylee Sarchett (Saint Martin’s), Meghan Ward (Central Washington), Martha Heaps (Concordia).
GNAC MILESTONE TRACKER
Hannah Huesers (SPU) - Huesers scored the only goal for SPU in a 1-1 tie with Concordia. It was her 41st career goal, giving her 90 career points. She was the seventh player in conference history to reach 40 career goals. Her 90 career points now ranks ninth in conference history and the 41 goals is tied for sixth most. Huesers has 28 goals and 62 points in GNAC matches, surpassing Jaucelyn Richter (2009-12) from Montana State Billings for sixth most points in GNAC history. She also tied Catherine Miles (2012-15) from Western Washington for third most goals in conference matches.The 2015 GNAC Offensive Player of the Year needs eight more goals to tie the GNAC record for goals and goals in conference matches.
Daniele Ortiz (NNU) - The Crusader made 14 saves this week to reach 303 career saves. She is the seventh player in conference history to reach 300 career saves. Last Week, Ortiz recorded her 200th career save in conference matches. She was the ninth player to achieve the feat and now has 217 saves, which ranks fifth in GNAC history.
Western Washington - With wins over Montana State Billings and Northwest Nazarene last week, Western Washington tied the GNAC record for longest home winning streak, tying the mark of 22 set by Seattle Pacific in 2004. The Vikings also have gone unbeaten in their last 39 home matches during the regular season, which is a streak that goes all the way back to the 2012 season. The GNAC record for longest home unbeaten streak in regular season matches is 40, which was set by Seattle Pacific in 2010. The Vikings are unbeaten in their last 36 conference matches and have scored a goal in 25 consecutive matches against conference opponents. Including playoff matches, the Vikings now have a 28-match unbeaten streak against West Region opponents.
Concordia - The Cavaliers have won 13 out of 14 home matches since joining the GNAC and are unbeaten in all 14. Counting a 24-match unbeaten streak as an NAIA member, Concordia’s streak is now at 38 unbeaten home matches. The Cavaliers have won all six home matches this year. On Saturday, the Cavs will host No. 1 Western Washington, which gave Concordia its only loss 2-1 in Bellingham, Wash.
AROUND THE GNAC
CENTRAL WASHINGTON
• Central Washington defeated Western Oregon 3-1 in its only match this week, moving into second place in the conference standings.
• The Wildcats are receiving votes in the NSCAA Division II Coaches Poll after breaking into the top 25 the week before.
• Keilin Farrand scored the first two goals in the win over Western Oregon to become the first Wildcat to earn a Player of the Week honor this season.
• Mackenzie Nolte and Farrand have each scored four goals this season. The Wildcats are one of two teams in the conference with multiple players that have scored at least four goals this year.
• Emily Holt saved two shots against WOU for a total of 58 this season. She also has five shutouts and a goals against average of 0.75.
• Central Washington’s 22 goals have been scored by 12 different players. Keilin Farrand has played a part in the most goals with four goals and four assists.
• Central Washington will host Saint Martin’s on Thursday and then travel to Montana State Billings on Saturday.
CONCORDIA
• Concordia tied Seattle Pacific on Thursday and then defeated Saint Martin’s on Saturday for four points on the week, keeping Concordia within two points of second place in the GNAC.
• The Cavaliers are unbeaten in all 14 matches played at Tuominen Yard since joining the conference. Including NAIA competition, the home unbeaten streak is now at 37 matches.
• Olivia Brock allowed two goals this week in the win and tie. She reached her 2000th minute in goal in the 3-1 win over Saint Martin’s. Her career save percentage is now 0.898, which is still the GNAC record. Her goals against average is 0.538, which ranks fifth in conference history.
• Concordia is ranked No. 7 in the NSCAA West Region rankings.
• The Cavs will go to Northwest Nazarene on Thursday and then host Western Washington on Saturday.
• Concordia ranks second in the conference in points (6.18), goals (2.18), and assists (1.82), trailing only Western Washington.
MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
• The Yellowjackets quickly turned their season around with the start of conference play and with a 2-1 overtime win over Simon Fraser, reached 10 points in the standings.
• Although the Yellowjackets are currently sixth in the conference standings, Montana State Billings is just three points behind second place.
• Montana State Billings plays at Western Washington on Thursday and then goes across the border to play Simon Fraser on Saturday.
• Lili Delgadillo has made 60 saves this season, which ranks 59th in Division II.
• Dana Lubieniecki tied the match against Simon Fraser with a goal on a penalty kick and then assisted the game-winning goal to Kylee Wolfe in the 95th minute. It was Wolfe’s first goal of the season.
• Alexa Iacolucci has taken a team-high 26 shots and has assisted one goal this season.
NORTHWEST NAZARENE
• Northwest Nazarene dropped both matches last week against Simon Fraser and Western Washington.
• The Crusaders will return home to face Concordia in their only match this week.
• Daniele Ortiz became the seventh player in GNAC history to record 300 career saves and ranks fifth in conference history in saves.
• Madi Taylor has a team-best four goals this year, which ranks fifth best in the conference this season.
SAINT MARTIN’S
• Saint Martin’s defeated Western Oregon in a high-scoring match on Thursday, winning 4-3 in overtime. Saint Martin’s then lost to Concordia and Simon Fraser in their next two matches.
• The Saints never led against Western Oregon until Kelli Bannerman’s golden goal in overtime. It was her second goal of the match and her team-leading third goal in 2016.
• The Saints have allowed 27 goals in the last seven matches.
• Lauren Allison scored her second goal of the season in the 66th minute against Western Washington last week. She was just the third player this year to score a goal against Western Washington
• Saint Martin’s has scored five goals this year by four different players, including two in the win against Hawaii Pacific.
• Saint Martin’s will travel to Central Washington on Thursday for its only match this week.
SEATTLE PACIFIC
• Seattle Pacific tied Concordia in its only match this week.The Falcons and Concordia are currently tied for fourth place in the conference.
• Hannah Huesers scored her sixth goal of the season to earn the tie against Concordia. The senior now needs eight more goals this season to tie GNAC records for career goals and career goals in conference matches.
• Seattle Pacific is one of five teams within three points of each other that are battling for three spots in the GNAC Championships. The Falcons have reached the GNAC Championship match in each of the past three years.
• Seattle Pacific will play two of those teams that are separated by just three points in the standings. The Falcons will travel to Montana State Billings on Thursday and then host Simon Fraser on Saturday.
• The Falcons defeated Simon Fraser 2-1 earlier in the year and this will be the first meeting in 2016 with the Yellowjackets.
• Simone Herzberg has three assists this year, which is one shy of the conference leader.
• Seattle Pacific has scored 17 goals this season and 14 different players have played a part in those goals either scoring or assisting them. Emma Holm became the 14th different player to do so, assisting Huesers goal against Concordia.
SIMON FRASER
• The Clan shutout Saint Martin’s 4-0 and Northwest Nazarene 3-0 in their matches this week. Simon Fraser also lost 2-1 to Montana State Billings.
• Simon Fraser has seven shutouts this season, which is the 15th best shutout percentage in Division II. Priya Sandhu has been creditted with six of those shutouts, which is the most in the conference
• Emma Pringle scored all of the team’s first four goals this season and six of the first eight with her sixth goal coming in the first half agaisnt Western Oregon. She now has a conference-best seven goals this year.
• Monpreet Heer scored two goals and assisted on two others setting a new comference season-high for points in a game last week against Western Oregon, earning a share of the GNAC Offensive Player of the Week honor.
• Nine of the team’s 20 goals have been scored by freshmen.
• Sandhu has 45 saves, six shutouts, and a goals against average of 0.804, which ranks 65th in Division II.
• The Clan is one of five teams within three points of each other in the GNAC standings. The top four teams in the conference will play in the GNAC Championships.
• Simon Fraser has the sixth best conference win percentage in the GNAC, but has the third most points in the standings with 12. That is just one behind Central Washington for second place and the Clan defeated Central Washington 2-0 on the road earlier this year.
• Simon Fraser will play at Seattle Pacific in the Clan’s only match this week. The Falcons defeated SFU 2-1 in Burnaby earlier this season.
WESTERN OREGON
• Western Oregon lost to Central Washington and Saint Martin’s this week.
• Taylor Higa scored twice and assisted another goal in the 4-3 overtime loss to Saint Martin’s and was a nominee for GNAC Offensive Player of the Week with her five points.
• The loss to Central Washington ended WOU’s perfect run of three wins at home.
• The Wolves will host Western Washington on Thursday and then travel to Concordia on Tuesday. WesterN Oregon will not play on Saturday.
WESTERN WASHINGTON
• Since tying Sonoma State in the season-opener, Western Washington has won 11 straight contests, including 10 that have been played at Harrington Field.
• Following wins over Montana State Billings and Northwest Nazarene, Western Washington is now the No. 1-ranked team in Division II.
• With the win over Northwest Nazarene, WWU tied the conference record for most consecutive home wins with 22. A record that stood for more than a decade.
• Western Washington has won or tied its last 28 matches against West Region opponents.
• WWU has defeated two teams ranked in the top 10 in the nation.
• Western Washington continued its GNAC championship defense with its fifth and sixth conference wins this season. The Vikings are looking for their fifth consecutive conference title, which would be the first time in GNAC women’s soccer history that one program has won the title five times in a row.
• The Vikings’ win over NNU improved their regular-season unbeaten streak at home to 39 going back to 2012. The conference record for an unbeaten streak at home during the regular season is 40 by Seattle Pacific in 2010.
• No team puts pressure on opposing goalkeepers like Western Washington. The Vikings have taken 24.3 shots per match this season, which is six more than any other team in the conference has. They have outshot their oppponents 292-78 this year.
• Goalkeeper Ashley Homer has helped the Vikings record nine shutouts in 12 matches, which is the fifth best shutout percentage in the nation. Meanwhile, her 0.26 goals against average ranks fourth in Division II.
• The Vikings are 11-0-1 so far this year with the lone tie coming to No. 22 Sonoma State. That is the second best winning percentage in all of Division II.
• Since the start of the 2012 season, Western Washington has been the toughest team to beat in the GNAC putting together a record of 87-9-7 (.879). The Vikings are also 54-3-4 (.918) during that span in conference play.
• The Vikings lead the conference in every team statistic except saves.
• Western Washington will travel to Oregon this week to face Western Oregon on Thursday and then Concordia on Saturday, looking to improve the team’s winning streak to 13 matches.