DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Women's Soccer team, who was receiving votes in the most recent United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll, defeated #21 Seattle Pacific University (Wash.), 2-1, on Saturday afternoon. The Rangers improve to 3-1 on the year, while the Falcons move to 1-1-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rangers would set up for a pair of early corner kicks, but SPU would take the first three shots of the game, with two being on target but saved by Helen Stegner. Elsa Nolen would record RU's first shot on goal in the 16th minute, but that would also be saved. Two more corners and shots from Morgan Black and Brooke Castillo would also prove fruitless. For nearly 20 minutes, neither team would manage an attempt until, following a Stegner save, Nolen battled the ball away from a defender, and found the bottom right corner to go up 1-0 with just three minutes left in the half.
Two shots by Seattle Pacific went high and right to start the second half, before Paige Davis's throw-in set up Brooke Castillo's goal to extend the lead to 2-0.
"Brooke really created that second goal out of nothing; she's that kind of special player," said head coach Jeff Frykholm.
Brielle Bickham and Castillo each added shots for the Rangers, and SPU took three more of their own, but a Regis foul in the box allowed for a Falcon's penalty kick attempt, which Nora Patterson put in with no issue. Despite Seattle Pacific pushing the tempo late, the Ranger defense, led by Morgan Black, Alysah Messenger, Aaliah Barwick, and Gianna Sparaco, did not allow another shot attempt.
"I was really proud of our composure," said keeper, Helen Stegner. "We stayed calm, made the simple passes, and played together well."
When asked about the 10-2 goal differential at home, she added: "The energy is great here at Regis. We play to try to create that energy, then feed off it."
"We are just trying to stack together each game, thinking small, while not forgetting our overall season goals," she concluded.
"They are a really good team, and we made the decision to play extra aggressive today," said Frykholm. "We did a good job of attacking the passing lanes."
"We have done a good job of trusting ourselves early in the season, continuing to excel at our strengths, and like Helen said, stacking strong practices and games."
GAME NOTES
· This was the Rangers first Top 25 win since 2023 (W, 1-0, at Colorado Mesa, 10/29/23)
· Castillo and Nolen both landed two shots on goal and scored a goal
· Stegner earned the win with four saves
· SPU totaled two saves between two keepers
UP NEXT
The Rangers look ahead to hosting Emporia State University (Kan.) on Friday, Sep. 19 at 7 pm.
