Thursday, November 30, 2023
by Thomas Lal

Grand Junction, Colo. –  Seattle Pacific’s season has come to an end in the finals of the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer West Regional with a 2-0 loss to No. 1 seed Point Loma in Grand Junction, Colo.

The No. 2 seed Falcons went into the match on the heels of defeating Cal State LA, 1-0, in the previous round, one of the best defensive teams in the nation, but couldn’t crack the Sea Lions’ defense despite putting six of their 13 shots on goal. Point Loma put its stamp on the game early, scoring in just the fourth minute while SPU looked a step behind the reigning PacWest champion.

The Falcons remained on the back foot for much of the first half as sophomore goalkeeper Mercedes Cullen put in some of her best work in the first 45 minutes to keep SPU in the match. Cullen finished the first frame with six of her seven saves while PLNU outshot the Falcons 12-3.

It wasn’t until the 43rd minute that SPU was able to put a shot on net as sophomore forward Kayla Wallace forced PLNU goalkeeper Julia Pinnell into a stretching save that tipped off of the crossbar and out of play. In 23 minutes off the bench, Wallace finished the match with two shots, both on goal.

The Falcons came out of the gates looking strong in the second half, turning the tables on the Sea Lions and outshooting them 10-6, but were unable to capitalize on the handful of dangerous chances they did generate. Sophomore forward Moira MacKay was one of those players to create scoring opportunities for SPU down the stretch, but was stifled by Pinnell on both occasions she put the ball on frame. MacKay finished the match with five total shots, the most of any player.

Senior forward and GNAC Player of the Year Sophie Beadle played 36 minutes off the bench, the most she has played since Oct. 14 for the second straight game. Beadle finished the match with just one shot but looked to be a stabilizing presence for the Falcons’ attack as they pushed for a late equalizer in the final game of her collegiate career.  

Seattle Pacific finishes the 2023 season with a 13-4-5 record (9-0-5 GNAC) and as the Great Northwest Athletic Conference regular season champion for a league-record 10th time.