NCAA Div. II Championship On the rise. Although advancing deep into the NCAA tournament was not to be, the Seattle Pacific University women’s soccer team took significant strides toward becoming a national power in 2003. In the program’s third year of existence, the Falcons were unbeaten in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play to earn their second consecutive title, finished the season ranked No. 23 in the nation and qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time. And, with 10 starters expected to return, SPU will take a great deal of momentum into 2004.

Frosting on the cake. While all but one playoff team–the national champion–must end its campaign with a loss, individuals finish with dessert. As honors go, the best were saved for last as Seattle Pacific realized its first All-America selections. Midfielder Shannon Lovejoy (So., Seattle, Wa./Seattle Prep) made the All-America second team and goalkeeper Jennifer Hull (Jr., Eugene, Or./Sheldon) made the third team, as chosen by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Lovejoy established a new school record for goals and led the GNAC with 17 goals and 38 points. Hull was the NCAA leader in goals-against average (0.30) and led the GNAC with 12 shutouts. Earlier, she and Lovejoy had been voted first team all-region and forward Heidi Jacobson (So., Kirkland, Wa./Cedar Park Christian) made the second team.

“I am so proud of Shannon and Jennifer and our entire program. Our team accomplished a great deal this season,” said Coach Chuck Sekyra. “And the best part is that we have such a great group coming back next year.”

The Falcons’ fantastic run. It was a storybook season for the Falcons. The defense allowed only eight goals and finished tied for No. 2 in shutout percentage (0.71) and No. 3 in GAA (0.37). SPU allowed only one first-half goal. Offensively, it scored 54 times. That, along with runs of 17 games unbeaten and 10 straight wins were new standards for the program. Seattle Pacific has gone 20 conference games without a loss, dating back to 2002.

Them again. Only one team was able to defeat the SPU and Cal State Dominguez Hills did so twice. The first was a 2-1 decision in Carson, Ca., in early September by virtue of an own goal. The second was a heartbreaking 2-1 loss in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Those are the program’s only losses in the last 32 games, dating back to Sept. 25, 2002. Seattle Pacific’s sole graduating senior, Nicole Ruiz (Sr., Federal Way, Wa.), summed up the season and its untimely end.

“It’s great to play at the NCAAs because no one expected us to do this well or get this far,” she said. “But it would have been nice to have been there longer.”

Decorated returnees. The Falcons are very optimistic heading into the offseason. Sekyra has all but Ruiz eligible to come back. Among the 10 returning starters are the two All-Americas, Jacobson and fellow all-conference pick Katie Lim (Jr., Hillsboro, Or.). The midfield of Lovejoy, Sarah Melby (Jr., Mukilteo, Wa./Kamiak), Jessica Henson (Jr., Spoakne, Wa./University) and Megan Lienhard (So., Everett, Wa./Cascade) returns intact. Joining Hull and Lim on the backline are Mollie Taylor (Fr., Westlake Village, Ca./Oaks Christian) and Michelle Everson (So., Tacoma, Wa./Stadium). Combined with Ruiz, they allowed six or fewer shots in 11 games en route to posting a conference- high 15 shutouts. Jacobson’s fellow frontrunner, Theresa Morelli (Fr., Bellevue, Wa./Bellevue Christian), returns along with two-time all-conference pick Michelle Sanders (Jr., Centralia, Wa.).

The wrap on awards. Jacobson was voted the newcomer of the year in the GNAC after totaling seven goals and eight assists in her first season after transferring from Gonzaga. Sekyra was the logical choice as coach of the year. Henson and Sanders each received honorable mention all-GNAC. Hull and Sanders were among six players voted to the academic all-district team. They made the first team while Melby, Lim, Allison Teague (Jr., Redmond, Wa./Bellevue Christian), and Briana Murphy (So., Ferndale, Wa.) were on the second team. SPU led all teams with 11 academic all-GNAC selections. In addition to the district team members, making it were Henson, Lienhard, Everson and Karen France (Jr., Woodland Park, Co./Palmer).

SPU Coaching Staff. Chuck Sekyra was hired as the Falcons' head coach on Feb. 24, 2002. Seykra, an assistant at the University of Washington for three seasons, has close ties to the Puget Sound soccer community and to Seattle Pacific in particular. He is a graduate of SPU, played on two NCAA championship teams and was assistant men's coach from 1998-99. Sekyra is head coach of the Washington State girls ODP Under-16 team and a Region IV ODP staff coach. He was a starter on the '86 squad which became the first in Division II history to win back-to-back national championships. Returning to the staff for her second year is Julie Cain. New to the bench are Kevin Blokker and volunteer assistant Steve Miller.

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.