Rigorous schedule ahead. A rigorous road trip awaits the Seattle Pacific University women's soccer following their first home stand. After hosting Western Washington (2-0-0/3-3-0) Tuesday night (Sept. 11), the Falcons (1-1-0/2-2-1) venture to Northern California for four games over a span of seven days, beginning Saturday (Sept. 15) with another Great Northwest Athletic Conference match at Humboldt State (1-2-0/1-6-0). The next stop is in the Bay Area Monday (Sept. 17) at Notre Dame de Namur (2-7-0) before stops at UC Davis Sept. 19 and Sonoma State Sept. 21.

Health, fitness are keys. With just 15 players available going into the week, the primary concern of Coach Bobby Bruch is to keep everyone healthy, particularly over the remainder of the month. Last week the Falcons split their first two GNAC games despite the absence of three players due to injury and another because of an eligibility issue. Beginning in late September, the pace slows with just four matches in a span of 20 days through Oct. 15.

Topsy-turvy start to GNAC. They are probably fine mentors and teachers of the game, but visionary prognosticators the conference coaches are not­at least not based on the first week of GNAC play. Seattle Pacific was upset in the opening match of the league campaign by upstart Northwest Nazarene, 3-2. Then SPU paid it forward, beating Central Washington in the inaugural home game, 2-1. Northwest Nazarene had picked to finish last, the Falcons fifth and Central third in the preseason coaches poll. The biggest shocker was No. 4 pick Humboldt State's road victory at favorite Seattle University.

One constant. In this crazy, mixed-up world of early-season women's soccer, there has been one constant, at least for Seattle Pacific. Forward Andrea Larsen (Sr., Portland, Or./Central Catholic) continues to demonstrate attacking flair every time she receives the ball and has punctuated those moves with four goals in the first five games. Larsen scored twice last week, including the first goal at Interbay versus Central Washington, a boom-boom volley from a Michelle Sanders (Fr., Centralia, Wa.) corner kick early in the second half. Larsen left Oklahoma State as the school's career scoring leader two years ago, and­at her current scoring rate­she's likely to do the same at SPU.

No longer on defensive. In some ways, the Falcons' .500 record through the first three games was remarkable, given that they were out-shot 49-18. However in the first two GNAC outings Seattle Pacific was clearly the aggressor, finishing last week with a 40-20 advantage in shots. No doubt fueled by the support of their home fans, the SPU players launched a season-high 22 attempts at the Central Washington net. LeRin Farrison (Jr., Vancouver, Wa./Mountain View-Highline CC) scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 68th minute on a left-wing cross from Jessica Henson (Fr., Spokane, Wa/University). SPU had first-half rebound goal by Henson disallowed for offside after Larsen poked the ball under the keeper. At Northwest Nazarene the Crusaders took a 2-0 lead, scoring twice just before intermission. Seattle Pacific poured on the pressure in the second half, taking 15 shots and forcing 11 saves. Anna-Kate Peterson (Fr., Portland, Or./Cleveland) and Larsen each scored but NNU never lost the lead.

Going once, going twice. Fans not only threw their vocal but also their financial support behind the Falcons during that first home game. At halftime, men's soccer coach Cliff McCrath auctioned off sports memorabilia ranging from a Mariner pitcher Jamie Moyer-autographed baseball to an autographed, authentic game jersey from U.S. national team star Mia Hamm. Seattle Sonic guard Desmond Mason, who took home the Hamm jersey, hand-delivered a pair of his own basketball shoes for auction, and the highest bid of the evening went for an autographed Michelle Akers jersey. Altogether, in just 10 minutes $2810 was raised for the new women's soccer scholarship fund.

Footnotes. SPU is 0-2-1 when trailing at halftime. In the second half it has outscored opponents 8-4...It's possible that Bruch could have two more players at his disposal this week. Forward Michelle Hunt (Sr., Bellevue, Wa./Newport), a transfer from Northwood (Mich.), is awaiting an NCAA ruling on her eligibility with regards to the transfer. Tara Wood (Fr., Bellevue, Wa./Newport), who missed both games last week after suffering a concussion Aug. 30 at Cal State Dominguez Hills, will have a follow-up visit with a physician prior to the Western game...Beginning with the Sept. 19 game at UC Davis, the Falcons will play three consecutive games against teams currently ranked among the top five in the region. The Aggies are No. 4, Sonoma State (Sept. 21) No. 5 and San Francisco State (Sept. 24) No. 3.

Schedule & Opponent Notes. Western Washington, runner-up to Seattle University for the conference title in 2000, has won its first two conference games, both on the road. The Vikings have won three in a row since starting 0-3. The teams will meet again in Bellingham Oct. 3...Humboldt State had lost its first five games before shocking Seattle U. 2-0 last week in Seattle. The Lumberjacks have been outscored 11-3 in the second half and overtime. SPU will host the return game Oct. 22...Notre Dame de Namur, formerly the College of Notre Dame, lost to Central Washington 2-1 at home Aug. 29.