SEATTLE, Wa. (Nov. 3)—Senior forward Michelle Sanders scored on one play and assisted on another as nationally top-ranked and undefeated Seattle Pacific University downed Central Washington 4-0, to clinch its third straight Great Northwest Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Championship Wednesday night at Interbay Stadium.

With the victory, the Falcons improved to 18-0-1 overall, and 10-0-1 in GNAC play, and extended their regular season unbeaten string to 36 straight games. Seattle Pacific has won its last 24 home matches and has not lost a conference game since September of 2002 (31 matches).

Sanders (Sr., Centralia, Wa.) took a slot pass from Allie Teague (Jr., Redmond, Wa.) in the 63rd-minute and scored in an open net from five yards to make it 2-0. Two minutes earlier (63:24), the senior forward and team leader in goals (10) assisted Megan Lienhard (Jr., Everett, Wa.).

Jessica Henson (Sr., Spokane, Wa.) opened up scoring in the match by connecting on a penalty kick at 49:30. SPU and Central were tied at zero at the half. Karen France (Sr., Woodland Park, Co.) nodded in a Tricia Loomis (Fr., Des Moines, Wa.) free-kick for the final margin.

There were several scoring opportunities for the Falcons in the match, as SPU out shot Central 15-2. Jennifer Hull (Sr., Eugene, Or.) and Erin Pierce (Jr., Milwaukie, Or) were not challenged in goal for Seattle Pacific while Wildcat goalie Christina Nordmark registered nine saves. The SPU defense recorded its 15th shutout.

The Falcons take to the field in a highly anticipated intra-city match with No. 15 Seattle University Saturday night (Nov. 6). Kick-off is scheduled for 7PM.

NCAA tournament pairings will be announced Monday (Nov. 8) and the Falcons expect a berth in the Far West Regional Nov. 11 and 13 at a site to be announced.

Scoring—1) SPU, Henson (penalty kick), 49:30; 2) Lienhard (Sanders) 63:24; 3) Sanders (Teague) 65:18; 4) France (Loomis) 78:14.

Shots—SPU 15, CWU 2.

Saves—SPU (Hull, Pierce 0), CWU (Nordmark 9).

Corner Kicks-SPU 3, CWU 1.

Fouls—SPU 8, CWU 10.

Cautions—CWU, Mitchell (yellow) 63:47.