Two Quick Goals Lift Top-Ranked SPU Women Over Western
Melby, Sanders score goals less than three minutes apart to propel Falcons
October 16, 2004

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (Oct. 16) ­ Sarah Melby and Michelle Sanders scored goals less than three minutes apart, lifting top-ranked Seattle Pacific University to its eighth straight victory, 2-0 over Western Washington in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's soccer game Saturday night at Civic Stadium.

Following some near-misses in the first half, Melby (Sr., Mukilteo, Wa./Kamiak) nodded home a free kick from Michelle Everson (Jr., Tacoma, Wa./Stadium) from 5 yards at 64:50. It was the second goal of the season for Melby, both coming against Western.

Sanders (Sr., Centralia, Wa.) struck for her team-leading ninth goal just 2:43 later, firing a 25-yard shot into the upper right corner at 67:33. Sanders has scored in three consecutive games. Shannon Lovejoy (Jr., Seattle, Wa./Seattle Prep) was credited with an assist.

"It was just a great game, one of the better games I've seen us play in two years," said SPU coach Chuck Sekyra. "We possessed the ball, played great defense and scored two nice goals. It was a very well-rounded performance."

The Falcons (6-0-1 GNAC, 14-0-1) posted their 11th shutout in 15 games, with goalkeeper Jennifer Hull (Sr., Eugene, Or.) stopping two shots. SPU finished with a 22-4 advantage in shots.

In the 15th minute, Lovejoy had her header from a corner kick cleared off the goal line by a Viking defender. Carolyn Nason put the rebound over bar. Another goal was disallowed for offside.

Seattle Pacific's unbeaten streaks reached 32 games in regular season and 27 in GNAC play. Western Washington (3-3-1, 7-6-1) lost its second in a row.

SPU next plays at Humboldt State Thursday.

Scoring: 1, SPU, Melby (Everson) 64:50; 2, SPU, Sanders (Lovejoy) 67:33.

Shots: SPU 22, WWU 4.

Saves: SPU (Hull) 2, WWU (Fish) 5.

Corner kicks: SPU 6, WWU 0.

Fouls: SPU 11, WWU 16.

Offside: SPU 1, WWU 1.

Cautions: Bouska, WWU, 39:18.