September 5, 2009
SEATTLE -- Alec Nelson found the ball during a scramble in front of the Chico State goal and punched it in just 2:05 into overtime Saturday, helping the Seattle Pacific men remain undefeated with a 1-0 non-conference soccer victory at Interbay Stadium.
“It always feels great to win in overtime,” Nelson exclaimed. “We got it done in two-minutes and five seconds, that's the way you got to get it done. You don't want it to drag on there. It was an emotional win, a big win for us because Chico is a great team.”
The Falcons (3-0-2) concluded a season-opening five-game, eight-day homestand during which they surrendered just one goal. Saturday was SPU's second consecutive overtime game and third in the past six days. The first two ended in ties -- 0-0 against Sonoma State on Monday and 1-1 against Humboldt State on Thursday.
A ball deep into the penalty area landed near the top of Chico goalkeeper Michael Keohane's six-yard box. Keohane made the save on the initial shot by Nelson (Lynnwood, Wash./Meadowdale HS). Sophomore defender Elliot Morton (Tacoma, Wash./Bellarmine Prep HS) kept the ball alive in the goalmouth, and the rebound ricocheted out toward the right post. Nelson, a senior midfielder, was there to punch it in.
It was the team-leading second goal for Nelson, who described the lead-up to his golden goal.
“The ball kind of bobbled down. Elliot came in and hit if off the keeper, he went down. Then it went off another guy and it dropped, bounced one time and I just got it with my right foot and slammed it home. Right place, right time.”
Coach Mark Collings claimed that the right player was there for the Falcons.
“When we needed someone to step up, there was our leader and the guy that we knew we could count on to finish it up. We've had a lot of chances and just haven't been able to get there for that last bounce. Alec was there today. I'm really, really pleased and thankful he was there.”
The Wildcats sustained their first setback after starting the season with two wins. They had some scoring opportunities, the first coming just over one minute into the game. Kyle Crain spun in the center of the box and fired a volley near the right post that SPU goalkeeper Kaleb Kuehn dove to knock away.
Chico State had a ball in the net with 8:41 left in the first half, but it was waved off because of Wildcats foul around the goalmouth area. The play started with a Chico free kick by Ryan Struckmeyer 23 yards up from the net just to the left of the penalty area restraining arc. Kuehn made the save, but the ensuing rebound was knocked in by a Wildcats player in traffic before the foul call negated it.
Kuehn, a junior from Marysville-Pilchuck (Wash.) High School, finished with his third shutout of the year. He registered two saves on 13 shots by the Wildcats.
The Falcons fired 16 shots, 13 of them after halftime. Keohane made five saves for Chico.
After five games a year ago, the SPU men had a 1-2-2 record and allowed eight goals. They are undefeated this year, yielding just one opposing tally.
“We've given up one goal in five games and that's a tribute to every single guy on our roster,” said Collings, who was pleased to get a win in the finale of the season-opening home series. “What a way to end a really big homestand for us. The guys left if all out there tonight. We played a very, very good Chico team and we feel fortunate to get the victory today. It certainly is a big one.”
The offensive hero, Nelson credits the SPU defense for the successful homestand.
“We've only given up one goal, which is huge. You can't lose if you don't get scored on. Really, to come out undefeated after five games in eight days is great. Five in eight days is tough, especially in college ball.”
The Falcons hit the road for the first time when they visit Cal State Monterey Bay on Tuesday at 3 p.m. They return to Interbay Stadium to host Metro State on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 3 p.m.
NCAA Men's Soccer
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Interbay Stadium/Seattle, Wash.
Seattle Pacific 1, Chico State 0 (ot)
Scoring – 1, SPU, Alec Nelson, 92:05.
Shots – CSUC 13, SPU 17.
Saves – CSUC 5 (Michael Keohane), SPU 2 (Kaleb Kuehn).
Corner kicks – CSUC 3, SPU 1.
Fouls – CSUC 17, SPU 13.
Offsides – CSUC 0, SPU 4.
Attendance -- 331.
Records –
Seattle Pacific 3-0-2.
Chico State 2-1-0
Next game –
Seattle Pacific at Cal State Monterey Bay, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 3:00 p.m.
