Thursday, November 12, 2015

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – For the fourth time this season, GNAC rivals Seattle Pacific and Western Washington will square off on the soccer pitch.

The Falcons advanced to the second round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championships Thursday with a 2-1 victory over UC San Diego in Bellingham, Wash. Laura Moore and Isabel Farrell scored the goals for Seattle Pacific, who entered the tournament as the No. 5 seed in the West Region.

The Falcons came out in full attack mode to begin the match, outshooting the Tritons 10-1 through the first 20 minutes. Moore had four of the first 10 shots, including the opening goal of the match in the 19th minute. Seattle Pacific controlled the ball and had all the opportunities early, with a 6-0 lead in corner kicks.

At halftime, the Falcons held an 11-1 shot advantage as the defense locked down the Tritons after the goal Moore’s goal. The team continued to have the better scoring chances with an 8-0 lead in corner kicks through 45 minutes.

In the second half, Isabel Farrell scored another clutch goal in the 50th minute for the Falcons. Farrell had both the team’s goals in the GNAC Championships. Hannah Huesers, the GNAC regular season points leader, picked up the assist.

After Farrell put the team up by two, the Tritons made an enormous second half push to try to tie the match. The Tritons outshot the Falcons 12-4 in the second half and scored an 84th minute goal by Katie O’Laughlin to pull them to within one. The Falcons’ defense stood strong in the end to secure the win. Goalkeeper Molly Stinson made five saves for SPU.

The Falcons and Vikings meet for the fourth time this season with Western Washington taking each of the first three contests. The Vikings defeated SPU twice during the regular season and then again 3-1 in the GNAC Women’s Soccer Championships final.

The GNAC’s two representatives in the national tournament will play on the Vikings’ Harrington Field at 1 p.m. Pacific time on Sat., Nov. 14. The winner will advance to the West Region finals.