Game on. Fresh from a pair of home victories over Whitworth and Notre Dame de Namur last week, the Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team hopes to continue its domination at Interbay Stadium during the coming days and nights. The Falcons (0-2-0/2-3-1), still seeking their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory of the season, host Northwest Nazarene (0-3-0/3-4-0) as they resume a three-game homestand Saturday night (Sept. 21). Seattle University (2-0-0/4-3-0), the GNAC favorite, visits Wednesday night (Sept. 25) before SPU returns to the road at Western Washington (1-1-0/2-3-1) Sept. 28. Five of the first six October games are at home.

Bruch sweet at home. Although the Falcons are still technically winless on the road in 2002, Coach Bobby Bruch has won seven of nine contests at home over the program's brief, two-year existence, and hopes to tally a pair more in the "W" column this week. Seattle Pacific has outscored this season's visitors to Interbay, 5-1. That includes last week's 2-0 shutout of previously unbeaten Notre Dame de Namur, then ranked 20th in NAIA. SPU owns a GNAC home record of 5-1, the sole loss coming at the feet of Seattle U. in the final home game last season.

Three crucial games. If the Falcons are to fly right back into the thick of the GNAC race, the next three games will be crucial. The age-old formula of going unbeaten at home and splitting on the road will likely hold true for any conference contender. A year ago, Seattle Pacific was strong at home and 2-4 away from Interbay to remain in contention until the final week of the season. Both GNAC losses this season have been on the road. To avoid the league cellar and begin climbing in the standings, SPU needs to defeat Northwest Nazarene and then pull-off its first win against Seattle U. Somewhat surprisingly, the Falcons swept last year's series with Western Washington.

Best week, so far. It was a heckuva week for SPU women's soccer. The Falcons rebounded from a rough (0-2-1) opening road trip by beating Whitworth in the home opener, 3-1. The game-winning goal went to Megan Lienhard (Fr., Everett, Wa./Cascade) and fellow freshman Shannon Lovejoy (Fr., Seattle, Wa./Seattle Prep) scored twice. Following a disappointing 3-1 loss at Western Oregon, Seattle Pacific posted its first shutout of the year, blanking Notre Dame de Namur, 2-0. Michelle Sanders (So., Centralia, Wa.) and Allison Teague (Fr., Redmond, Wa./Bellevue Christian-Santa Clara) each came off the bench to ripple the nets against the Argonauts.

First in their class. Unlike last year, when the Falcons' fortunes rode largely on the backs of seniors Andrea Larsen and Erin Roberts, this year's squad relies heavily on the youngsters. Of the eight goals scored by the team, six were by freshmen. Of the 10 assists, seven have come courtesy of the Class of 2006. Lovejoy leads the squad with a three goals while Lienhard has three assists.Notch two for the sophomores. And if it's not a freshman figuring in the goals, it's probably a sophomore. On a squad comprised of 22 freshmen and sophomores and only two upperclassmen, the other two goals and three assists have come courtesy of the sophomore class. Sanders' strike from 18 yards was her first of the season as was Jessica Henson's (So., Spokane, Wa./University) goal at Western Oregon. Sanders, an all-GNAC selection last season, totaled 12 points and was among the conference leaders with six assists as a freshman.

Footnotes. Keepers Jennifer Hull (So., Eugene, Or./Sheldon) and Erin Pierce (Fr., Milwaukie, Or./Rex Putnam) shared the first shutout, with Hull making one save and Pierce registering two. In all, Hull has started four matches in goal and Pierce two...Eight players have started all six matches, including forward Sarah Melby (So., Mukilteo, Wa./Kamiak-Idaho), midfielders Lovejoy, Lienhard, Henson and LeRin Farrison (Sr., Seattle, Wa./Mountain View/Highline CC), defenders Katie Lim (So., Hillsboro, Or.), Jean Kolb (Fr., Eugene, Or./South Eugene) and Nicole Ruiz (Jr., Federal Way, Wa./Federal Way-Barry)...Credited with their first assists last week were Michelle Everson (Fr., Tacoma, Wa./Stadium) and Katy Nydam (Fr., Oak Harbor, Wa.)...The latest regional rankings still show five California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) teams-UC San Diego, UC Davis, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Dominguez Hills and Sonoma State-at the top. Humboldt State and Seattle U of the GNAC are sixth and eighth, respectively...Two of the three SPU losses have been to regionally-ranked teams.

Opponent and series notes. The Falcons beat Northwest Nazarene 6-0 at Interbay to earn a split. Seattle University won both contests against SPU by a combined margin of 4-0. Sanders scored two goals and had two assists in the two wins over Western Washington last season.

Tickets, please. General admission tickets to all SPU regular season home games are $5, with students and senior citizens receiving tickets for $3. Group rates are available by phoning (206) 281-2085 in advance.

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.