Women's Soccer | 9/17/2009 6:55:01 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Despite holding their foes scoreless for over 52 minutes, the Western Oregon University women's soccer team fell to No. 1 nationally-ranked Seattle Pacific 3-0 in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference showdown, Thursday (Sept 17), at the WOU Soccer Field.

The loss drops the Wolves to 1-4-3 (0-2-0) on the season, while the Falcons see their record improve to 7-0-0 (1-0-0).

In the first stanza, WOU attempted just four shots to SPU's nine, and saw the Falcons attempt three cornerkicks. However, at the end of one half, the score was deadlocked at 0-0.

“We were very prepared for them coming into the game. We knew what they were going to do,” WOU head coach Rod Fretz said. “We had a system that worked pretty well, and we just played with great energy for 45 minutes.”

The Wolves defense wore down in the second half, allowing Seattle Pacific to score three times on goals in the 53rd minute, 70th minute, and 84th minute, respectively.

“In the second half, we let down a little bit in that area,” said Fretz. “All three of the goals were break-downs where we got a mixed assignment or we were trying to hold the offsides line where one defender wasn't in on that, so if the defenders don't all see that and one hangs back, it allows them to play in that space behind the other defenders and that burned us on that one that the girl flicked on with her head.”

The Falcons' defense was able to stymie the Wolves' forwards, limiting them to three shots on goal. Two of those shots came from Rachelle Kliewer, the GNAC leader in goals scored and total points, and the clear focus of SPU's defense.

“They really kept players tight on her and I think she got worn down a little bit because of that, so even when she trying to get away from the play and be a decoy, they were right there. They weren't going to forget where she was,” Fretz explained.

The Wolves will face a non-conference opponent in their next game as they face the Southern Oregon University Raiders. The contest is scheduled for September 20 at 1:00 p.m., on the WOU Soccer Field.