FOR THE FOURTH TIME in school history, the Seattle Pacific Falcons hoisted the NCAA Division II West Region women’s soccer championship trophy, as Makena Rietz (17) and Madison Ibale did the honors. SPU captured the trophy in Dallas, Texas, on Dec. 2, 2021, when they defeated arch-rival Western Washington in the regional title game, 2-1. Sophie Beadle scored on a penalty kick, and Claire Neder added the other goal for the Falcons. The victory earned the team a berth in the national quarterfinals. While the Falcons ultimately lost 1-0 to host Dallas Baptist, they still finished with a 19-2-1 record. That was the most wins in a season since the 2008 team went 22-1-2 on their way to capturing the national title.
“Not just teaching them — walking with them.”
