September 1, 2009
SEATTLE – Sophomore Ryan Brand scored on a 25-yard strike in the 66th minute Tuesday, sending the Seattle Pacific men to a 1-0 non-conference soccer victory over Cal State East Bay at Interbay Stadium.
The Falcons, who have not surrendered a goal this season, improved their record to 2-0-1. Cal State East Bay dropped to 1-1.
Brand's goal halted a 179-minute scoreless streak for the Falcons, who played 17th-ranked Sonoma State to a 0-0 tie a day earlier. Six SPU starters from Monday's 110-minute marathon, including Brand, sat out the first half of Tuesday's game.
Those six players were in the lineup to open the second half and helped the Falcons control the run of play during the final 45 minutes. SPU outshot the Pioneers 12-4 after halftime.
“We definitely finished better than we started. We tried to mix things up a little bit,” SPU coach Mark Collings said of the starting lineup that included eight players who were not in the opening unit during this season's first two games. “Obviously coming back right away from a game yesterday we knew we were going to have to rely on our depth. We had moments in the first half, but never really strung things together the way we should have.
“In the second half the pace was better. Ryan had a great finish from just a quality strike.”
In the 61st minute, Brand (Portland, Ore.) found himself open with the ball in the center of the box. His 12-yard shot traveled wide.
Brand didn't miss on the next opportunity, five minutes later, after collecting the ball with some space 30 yards from the goal. He dribbled five yards toward the box before unleashing a drive that found the lower left side of the Pioneers' goal at 65:31.
Freshman Zach Johnson made his collegiate debut in goal for the Falcons. The Snohomish (Wash.) High School product saved two shots en route to a shutout.
Billy Morales was credited with five saves for the Pioneers, who were outshot by a 21-7 margin.
Each team had a dangerous scoring opportunity in the first half, including a 14th-minute header by East Bay's Aric Johnson that carried just high of the upper left corner.
SPU had two near misses before intermission. Freshman Charlie Piehler (Renton, Wash./Kentridge HS) lobbed a 35-yard shot just over the crossbar in the 20th minute. In the 35th minute, sophomore Darren Jewell (Kealakekua, Hi.) sent a point-blank, 15-yard drive on goal that was deflected away by Morales.
“We were a little fortunate tonight to be honest. East Bay came in with a good game plan and they frustrated us. Eventually we were able to crack it,” Collings said. “We'll learn from this and get ready for Thursday.”
The Falcons are in the midst of a hectic stretch of five home games in eight days. They return to Interbay Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 3 for a 4:30 p.m. game against Humboldt State. That is the opener of a soccer doubleheader with the top-ranked SPU women, who play at 7 p.m.
NCAA Men's Soccer
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Interbay Stadium/Seattle, Wash.
Seattle Pacific 1, Cal State East Bay 0
Scoring – 1, SPU, Ryan Brand, 65:31.
Shots – CSUEB 7, SPU 21.
Saves – CSUEB 5 (Billy Morales), SPU 2 (Zach Johnson).
Corner kicks – CSUEB 1, SPU 8.
Fouls – CSUEB 6, SPU 9.
Offsides – CSUEB 3, SPU 4.
Attendance -- 151.
Records –
Seattle Pacific 2-0-1.
Cal State East Bay 1-1-0.
Next game – Humboldt State at Seattle Pacific, Thursday, Sept. 3, 4:30 p.m.
