It doesn't get much tougher. With a grueling preseason training camp now finished, it's on to the next challenge for the Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team, and that challenge is a trip to Northern California for first three games of the 2002 season. The Falcons kick-off their second year of play with a pair of matches against two of the toughest teams in the Far West Region, beginning with Sonoma State in the opener Saturday (Aug. 31) and San Francisco State Sept. 4. SPU commences Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at Humboldt State Sept. 7 before returning home to host Whitworth Sept. 10.

Heady field, indeed. In order for Coach Bobby Bruch to take his program one step closer to his goal of reaching the NCAA Division II tournament, the Falcons need to make a favorable impression against teams from the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Sonoma and San Francisco State, both CCAA members, were among the top six teams in last year's final regional rankings. Last season, the Falcons did not fare well against either, losing 2-1 in Sonoma and 2-0 at home against San Francisco State. SPU swept Humboldt State, prevailing 3-2 at Arcata and 2-1 on a late game-winning goal at Interbay Stadium.

Change is in the wind. All things considered, Seattle Pacific is likely to improve upon its respectable 8-10-1 record last season. Bruch has 24 players on his roster, seven more than at the start of last year, and, understandably, says his squad boasts much more depth. A handful of prized recruits will have the task of replacing leading scorer Andrea Larsen and sweeper Erin Roberts. Both were all-conference selections. Along with the graduation of Larsen (10 goals) and Roberts (4), Bruch must retool an attack which lost 77 percent of its goal total from a year ago.

Count on 'em. Bruch has just four recognizable faces penciled-in for starting assignments in the season opener at Sonoma. The squad's sole senior, LeRin Farrison (Sr., Seattle, Wa./Mountain View-Highline CC) has earned a spot in the midfield along with Jessica Henson (So., Spokane, Wa./University). Katie Lim (So., Hillsboro, Or.) is set on defense and Jennifer Hull (So., Eugene. Or./Sheldon) will resume duty as starting keeper. In 2001, Hull allowed only 1.40 goals per game. While returning starter and all-conference pick Michelle Sanders (So., Centralia, Wa.) is worthy of starting, she has been hampered during preseason by a sore knee.

Transfers galore. Also likely to start on opening day are a pair of transfers. Nicole Ruiz (Jr., Federal Way, Wa./Federal Way-Barry) was a two-year starter on defense for national powerhouse Barry (Fl.) where she was all-conference as a sophomore. The Buccaneers made the NCAA semifinal round in 2000 and the second round last season. Forward Sarah Melby (So., Mukilteo, Wa./Kamiak-Idaho) transferred from Idaho, where she finished second on the team in assists and was a part-time starter as a freshman. Melby, who stands 5-foot-11, will give the Falcons a much-needed physical presence on the front line.

Rookies. In all, there are 12 freshman and just two upperclassmen (Farrison and Ruiz) on the roster, and although Bruch has been very guarded about revealing information regarding his recruits during preseason practices, he has praised the play of freshmen Megan Lienhard (Fr., Everett, Wa./Cascade) and Michelle Everson (Fr., Tacoma, Wa./Stadium) in team scrimmages. Both are slated to win spots in the Saturday's lineup at fullback and midfield, respectively, along with forward Katy Nydam (Fr., Oak Harbor, Wa.), midfielder Shannon Lovejoy (Fr., Seattle, Wa./Seattle Prep.) and defender Jean Kolb (Fr., Eugene, Or./South Eugene).

Footnotes. In their preseason scrimmage at Evergreen, the Falcons got goals from Melby, Sanders and Nydam...Among the NCAA rules to change this season is the length of overtime periods. Should the score remain tied at the end of regulation, teams would play two 10-minute (rather than 15 in the past) periods. A "golden goal" would determine a winner. If no goal is scored the result would be a draw. In the postseason, teams would then proceed to penalty kicks to determine advancement. Bruch is also pleased with allowance of one reentry for players during the first half.

Opponent and series notes. Sonoma State will be making its debut under the new nickname of Seawolves and they return eight starters from a team which went 10-7-2...SPU will play San Francisco State in the second half of a doubleheader which features the Falcon men in the opener. The Gators, who were 12-5-3 last season, also return eight starters...Humboldt State also lost just three starters. The Lumberjacks were picked to finish fifth in the GNAC, behind Seattle U., Western Oregon, Western Washington and SPU.

SPU Coaching Staff. Before guiding SPU to a respectable 8-10-1 record in his first season, Bobby Bruch had already made a name for himself as a successful girls coach in Southern California. He guided the West Coast F.C. Shamrocks of Mission Viejo, Ca., to the 1998 U.S. under-19 girls championship and his teams made it to the semifinal and final each on one other occasion. As a player, Bruch was a starting midfielder on Seattle Pacific's back-to-back NCAA men's titles in 1985-86 and later played on championship teams for F.C. Seattle (1988) and the L.A. Heat (1991). He served as an assistant coach for the Seattle Pacific men's team in 2000. Joining his staff as assistants this season are Julie Cain and Janelle Andresen, both former players at Westmont College.

Missing links. For the latest and best information on Seattle Pacific University athletics, stay where you're at -- on The Falcons Online. For updated standings and statistics, see the Great Northwest Athletic Conference web site.