Complete Box Score

PHOENIX, Az. (Oct. 7)—Seattle Pacific University scored four goals over a 8:26 span in the second half, as the 19th-ranked Falcons bounced back from their first back-to-back defeats in nearly five years by downing Grand Canyon 5-0 in a non-conference women’s soccer match Saturday evening at Phoenix.

After a scoreless first half, Jessica Gerstmann (Jr., Puyallup, Wa/Cascade Christian) headed an Alex Kirk (Fr., Edmonds, Wa./Edmonds-Woodway) pass past Antelope keeper Shela Robertson at 61:18 to make it 1-0, Falcons.

Just under two minutes later (63:08), Kirk assisted Sarah Martinez (Jr., Bothell, Wa./Cedar Park Christian) and scored herself at 66:22 with help from Martinez.

Meredith Teague (So., Redmond, Wa./Bellevue Christian) sprung Tricia Loomis (Jr., Des Moines, Wa./Mount Rainier) free on a breakaway at 69:34.

Loomis closed out scoring in the 90th-minute. SPU keeper Jesslyn Rahm (Fr., Eugene, Or../South Eugene) and Tracey Taylor (Fr., Seattle, Wa./Holy Names) were credited with assists on the play, which began with a long punt from the Falcons’ defensive third.

Seattle Pacific’s (11-3-0) victory came off a rare pair of losses – a 1-0 home defeat to Seattle University and a 2-1 decision at Western Washington.

Rahm and Katie Ruggles (Sr., Eugene, Or./South Eugene) split time in goal for SPU. Ruggles had four saves; Rahm gathered in two. Robertson finished with eight.

The Falcons held a 19-8 advantage in shots, and earned nine corner-kicks to Grand Canyon’s 2. SPU defeated the Antelopes 2-1 at Interbay in the two teams’ first meeting on Sept. 23.

The Falcons play Monday (Oct. 9) afternoon at Phoenix, against Dixie State. Kick-off is scheduled for 11AM.

Scoring – 1) SPU, Gerstmann (Kirk) 61:18; 2) SPU, Martinez (Kirk) 63:08; 3) SPU, Kirk (Martinez) 66:22; 4) SPU, Loomis (Teague) 69:34; 5) Loomis (Taylor, Rahm) 89:04.

Shots – SPU 19, GCU 8.

C. Kicks – SPU 9, GCU 2.

Saves – GCU (Robertson 8), SPU (Ruggles 4, Rahm 2).

Fouls – SPU 13, GCU 10.

Cautions – SPU, Loomis (yellow) 22:51.