Seattle Pacific University Athletics

Goalkeeping became a spectator sport in and of itself when Sergio Soriano arrived from Miami Beach.

Fearlessly diving at the feet of attackers or throwing himself into midair to stop shots, Soriano made many an impossible save. Longtime Falcon fans would rank him as one of the quickest, most electrifying goalkeepers in school history. Along the way, he helped SPU win its first national championship in 1978. Typically, that title game was a shutout, 1-0 against heavily favored Alabama A&M.

Lightning reflexes and great anticipation earned Soriano season and career save records, and a slew of shutouts. In 1980, he was between the pipes as the Falcons surrendered just 13 goals all season. Soriano set the season shutout mark with 13 on the way to the national title in 1978, and finished his career with a record 42 clean sheets.

Those shutouts did not come easily. Soriano also set a career record with 397 saves and posted the top two season save marks with 121 and 116 in 1980 and 1981, respectively. His career saves mark is 140 more than the next keeper on the Seattle Pacific list.

Soriano recently from Miami to his alma mater for his second tour as an assistant coach. His family resides in Arlington.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS (1978-81)

• Established multiple goalkeeping records for season and career, and remains school record holder for saves.

• Played on Seattle Pacific's first NCAA championship team in 1978.

• All-Region and four-time All-Conference selection.