Seattle Pacific University Athletics

Sometimes, it just comes down to finding a way to win. In a little more than 24 hours on the first weekend of December in 1978, the Seattle Pacific men’s soccer team found that way to win … twice … in triple overtime, both times.
 
Because they found that way to win, the NCAA Division II championship trophy came back from sweltering Florida all the way up and across the country to considerably colder Seattle.
 
After racking up a 17-5-4 record through the regular season and the Far West Regional tournament, the Falcons came to Florida as underdogs, just hoping for a rematch against Alabama A&M, the team that had defeated them in the 1977 title game.
 
They got their wish, thanks to Kevin Bloudoff’s goal in the 130^th minutes of the semifinal to beat Southern Connecticut State, 1-0.
 
The next day’s final against A&M was more of the same: a scoreless battle through 90 minute of regulation play and a pair of 15-minute overtimes. In the 127^th minute, an Eric Benz throw-in found Jim McKay, his header found the goalmouth, and Bruce Raney’s shot found the back of the goal, making Seattle Pacific the 1-0 victory and ruler of the Division II soccer world.
 
 
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
• Allowed just one goal in four postseason games, outscoring opponents, 6-1.
• In addition to those three playoff shutouts, posted 10 shutouts during the regular season, outscoring opponents, 69-26.
• Went 6-2-2 against Division I teams, with a 28-15 advantage in goals
• 13 players scored at least one ogal (led by Bruce Raney’s 16), and 14 earned at least one assist, with Kevin Bloudoff, Jim McKay, and Mike Hiatt logging six apiece.