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PHOENIX, Ariz. – Welcome home Tyler Schultz!

Scottsdale native Tyler Schultz netted the lone goal in the 51st minute Monday, leading the 25th-ranked Seattle Pacific men to a 1-0 victory over No. 17 Grand Canyon in a non-conference soccer game at GCU Soccer Field.

“The team really stepped up big today. I'm just so proud of the effort they gave,” said SPU coach Mark Collings. “This is a very difficult place to play and we beat a good soccer team tonight.”

Sophomore Drew Williams (Bend, Ore.) initiated the scoring play, sending a long through ball from 45 yards out that broke Schultz free behind the defense.

Schultz ran on to the pass 25 yards from the goal and dribbled into the box before sending a 12-yard drive into the right side of the Antelopes goal at 50:31. It was his team-high third game-winning goal this season.

“We won the ball and were able to get it out to Drew as an outlet,” Collings described. “We caught them flat, Schultzy ran in behind and finished it.”

The sophomore midfielder, who prepped at nearby Pinnacle High School, tied for SPU's season lead with his fourth goal.

The Falcons improved to 9-1-3 with their third straight win. SPU has been brilliant against non-conference foes, compiling a 7-0-2 mark. Grand Canyon's record fell to 10-2-1.

The SPU defense shut down high-scoring Antelopes' freshman forward Kyle Ciliento, limiting him to just one shot. Ciliento has 15 goals and entered Monday's contest having recorded hat tricks in each of his previous two outings.

The Falcons didn't use any defensive gimmicks against Ciliento, according to Collings.

“We just continued to do what we do. Everybody plays a role in our defensive system and when everybody does that we make it very difficult on teams.

“Our back line was great. Corey McGuire and Elliot Morton and Jon Pearman and Caleb Nyone once again were sensational. They did a great job of shutting down one of the best goal scorers in the region. That's a tribute to the effort they put in.”

Junior SPU goalkeeper Kaleb Kuehn (Marysville, Wash./Marysville-Pilchuck HS) benefitted from the solid defense. He stopped one shot in each half to record his sixth shutout.

Ben Paneccasio was credited with three saves for GCU, which was outshot by a slim 5-4 margin.

With six regular-season games remaining, the Falcons already have their most single-season wins since the 2006 squad finished with a 12-7 overall record.

The SPU men won't savor Monday's victory too long as their attention will be focused on the next opponent, the only team to defeat them this season. The Falcons conclude a four-game road trip with a 3 p.m. conference game on Thursday, Oct. 15 at Saint Martin's.

The Saints rallied from two goals down to beat SPU 3-2 on Oct. 1 in Seattle.

Also coming up is a tough two-game trip to Los Angeles where the Falcons meet top-ranked Cal State L.A. on Oct. 21 before clashing with defending NCAA Division II champion Cal State Dominguez Hills on Oct. 23.

“We still have a lot of work to do. I told the guys after the game that I'm extremely proud of the effort that they put in and happy for them,” Collings said.

“We're going to enjoy this tonight, but it's back to work tomorrow. We have to get down to Saint Martin's and take care of business in conference now.”

The next home game at Interbay Stadium for the Falcons is Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. against Montana State Billings.


NCAA Men's Soccer
Monday, October 12, 2009
GCU Soccer Field/Phoenix, Ariz.

(#25) Seattle Pacific 1, (#17) Grand Canyon 0

Scoring -- 1, SPU, Tyler Shultz (Drew Williams), 50:31.

Shots – SPU 5, GCU 4.
Saves – SPU 2 (Kaleb Kuehn), GCU 3 (Ben Paneccasio).
Corner kicks – SPU 1, GCU 8.
Fouls – SPU 8, GCU 11.
Offsides – SPU 1, GCU 1.
Attendance -- 132.

Records --
Seattle Pacific 9-1-3
Grand Canyon 10-2-1

Next game --
#25 Seattle Pacific at Saint Martin's
Thursday, Oct. 15, 3:00 p.m., Lacey, Wash.