September 12, 2009

• Box score, play-by-play
• PHOTO GALLERY
  

SEATTLE -- What a difference a year makes!

Four different players scored, including Alec Nelson and Drew Williams who found the goal just two minutes apart in the first half Saturday afternoon to start Seattle Pacific on its way to a 4-1 triumph over 20th-ranked Metro State in a non-conference men's soccer game at Interbay Stadium.

The score reversed the outcome of last year's meeting in Denver when the Falcons fell by a 4-1 count.

“Going into it, I just knew we were ready for this game. We remember what the score was last year, but it's a new year and we've got some talent this year,” said sophomore Tyler Schultz (Scottsdale, Ariz.), who had a goal and assist on Saturday.

Through seven games a year ago, SPU had a 1-3-3 record and had been outscored 13-7.

The Falcons (5-0-2) are undefeated seven games into the 2009 season, boasting a 12-3 scoring advantage over their foes.

“It seems like the team as a group, we just all fit in together this year,” Schultz said. “It was definitely a plus to have a couple days off to get our heads together.”

Last season's encounter at Metro State was the second road game in as many days for the Falcons. They underwent a similar strenuous schedule to start this season, opening with five games during an eight-day span.

“Last year we played on back-to-back days and we were still finding our way a little bit,” second-year SPU coach Mark Collings explained. “When you are winning and people are feeling good about what you are doing, it's a little easier to come back and play the next day. We were struggling a bit last year.”

The three days between Tuesday's 3-1 win at Cal State Monterey Bay and Saturday's win over Metro were the most SPU has enjoyed between games this season.

“We got our legs under us a little bit and played really well today,” Collings added. “Metro State is a very good soccer team, but we were pretty sharp today. Tyler, Ennis (Isufi) and Alec were very sharp in the beginning and caused a lot of problems. Defensively, we gave up one late, but overall we were solid.”

The last time the Falcons scored four goals in a game came during a 4-2 victory against Saint Martin's on Oct. 16, 2007. SPU has accumulated seven goals in its last two games after managing five goals in its opening five outings.

The Roadrunners dropped to 3-2 after allowing as many goals as they had in their first four games combined.

The shots category favored SPU by a slim 16-13 margin, including a 6-5 edge in shots on goal. But goalkeeping was the difference as the Falcons got four saves from their shot-stoppers to just one from Metro's Dominique Griffith.

Junior Kaleb Kuehn (Marysville, Wash./Marysville-Pilchuck) had three saves and allowed one goal before departing after 83 minutes. Freshman Zach Johnson (Snohomish, Wash./Snohomish HS) was credited with one save over the final seven minutes.

Nelson (Lynnwood, Wash./Meadowdale HS) put the Falcons on the board at the 17:02 mark. Schultz sent a long through pass into the penalty area and, with Griffith coming far off his line, Nelson parked a 12-yard shot into the back left side for his third goal of the year.

Williams (Bend, Ore.) doubled the lead to 2-0 with an 18-yard shot at 19:01. Senior Enis Isufi (Auburn, Wash./Peninsula CC) sent a pass toward the goal line on the right wing side. From the edge of the box, Williams directed a ball toward the near post that Griffith got his hands on, but couldn't prevent from dribbling into the net. That was the first goal of the season for Williams, a sophomore.

Freshman Christopher Morris (Mercer Island, Wash./Mercer Island HS) stunned the Metro State defense to make it 3-0 at 49:51. An initial shot in the box by Isufi had been blocked by a Roadrunners defender and was kicked out of apparent danger. But the ball landed at the feet of Morris, who launched a 30-yard blast that sailed high into the left corner for his first goal as a Falcon.

 “We've been sharp offensively in training, we just haven't been able to do it in a match. Today it came together,” Collings said. “I actually thought we probably should have had three or four in the first half. The second half we came out and boy, Morris hit a stunner. You don't really plan for those, but we'll certainly take it.”

A quick counterattack led to the Falcons' final goal. Williams sent a long through ball that brought Griffith off his line. Schultz arrived at the ball at the top of the box and chipped it over the onrushing goalkeeper at 57:12 for his third goal of the season.

Ri Armstrong spoiled the shutout, lining a 20-yard shot inside the left post with 9:36 left in the game. That was just the second goal of the season against SPU.

The Falcons now set their sights on Great Northwest Athletic Conference play that begins next Saturday, Sept. 19 at Montana State Billings.

“You wipe the slates clean so to speak, because conference games start now,” Collings said. “We've got to get off to a good start. Billings is a tough place to play. They've got a very good soccer team and we will certainly have our hands full.”

Schultz expects GNAC opponents to have added incentive after the Falcons' undefeated non-conference performance.

“It's definitely going to put a target on our back. Everyone is going to come play us hard. We're just going to have to play our best game for every team that comes.”


NCAA Men's Soccer
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Interbay Stadium/Seattle, Wash.

Seattle Pacific 4, (#20) Metro State 1

Scoring -- 1, SPU, Alec Nelson (Tyler Schultz), 17:02. 2, SPU, Drew Williams (Enis Isufi), 19:01. 3, SPU, Christopher Morris (unassisted), 49:51. 4, SPU, Schultz (Williams), 57:12. 5, MSC, Ri Armstrong (Pat Laughlin), 80:24.

Shots – MSC 13, SPU 16.
Saves – MSC 2 (Dominique Griffith), SPU 4 (Kaleb Kuehn 3, Zach Johnson 1).
Corner kicks – MSC 10, SPU 4.
Fouls – MSC 12, SPU 10.
Offsides – MSC 0, SPU 1.
Attendance -- 273.

Records
Seattle Pacific 5-0-2.
Metro State 3-2-0

Next game
Seattle Pacific at Montana State Billings
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2:00 p.m.