WICHITA FALLS, Tex. (Dec. 2) – In going undefeated through 24 games, Seattle Pacific University’s women’s soccer team has won any which way. To win once more and bring home the NCAA Division II championship, the Falcons’ coach said his players must only be themselves.

Seattle Pacific meets Nebraska-Omaha in the national title contest at 11 a.m. PST. The game will be televised live on CSTV and there will be audio coverage on the web (www.golivesports.com).

In their 3-2 semifinal victory over Carson-Newman, the Falcons were forced to come from behind. A quarterfinal win over defending national champion Metro State required a tiebreaker, and SPU has also frequently gone in front in winning 20 games and tying four.

“We came back from behind twice in the last game, so that’s something new,” said coach Chuck Sekyra, “and it was a good experience.”

Sekyra says that although his team is unbeaten, there’s been adversity. “Every time we’ve had something on the line, we’ve gone out and gotten it done.”

Sarah Martinez, the scoring leader with 16 goals, played most of the semifinal despite being weakened by a 24-hour bug beforehand. Although Martinez and 11-goal scorer Heidi Jacobson were held scoreless, others responded.

Carolyn Nason, a defender, headed in the game-winning goal and another shot of hers was batted down by a Carson-Newman player, resulting in a penalty kick for Shannon Lovejoy.

A freshman, Meredith Teague, sparked the comeback by scoring on a long-range blast and finding Nason with a corner kick.

“Everyone wishes us good luck,” said Sekyra. “But I’ve told our players that there’s nothing lucky about us being here.

“We’re here because of our determination, our level of play, our commitment, compassion and love for one another, and our absolute intensity.

“That’s why we’re here and that’s why we’re going to win,” Sekyra added. “What we’ve done all year will work for us one more time.”

Nebraska Omaha (19-2-0) has outscored its postseason opposition 13-1, with freshman forward Amanda Iwansky tying an NCAA tournament record with seven goals. Three of the Mavericks played in a 2002 championship game loss. They are playing in their fourth straight final four.

SPU is scheduled to arrive back in Seattle Sunday night at 8:45, aboard Alaska flight 809 from Dallas-Fort Worth.