THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14 --
(#19) Grand Canyon at Seattle Pacific, 4:30 p.m.
Interbay Stadium/Seattle, Wash.
LiveStats:  http://www.sidearmstats.com/spu/msoc/index.htm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16 --
University of Mary at Seattle Pacific, 7:00 p.m.
Interbay Stadium/Seattle, Wash.
LiveStats:  http://www.sidearmstats.com/spu/msoc/index.htm

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Pacific men's soccer team plays its final two non-league games at home this week before turning its attention back to the conference championship chase.

Winners in four of their last five games, the Falcons (4-5-2) host 19th-ranked Grand Canyon on Thursday, Oct. 14 at 4:30 before entertaining the University of Mary on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. Both games will be played at Interbay Stadium where SPU has a 2-1-1 record.

This week's contests are rematches of thrilling games SPU played on the road last season. On Oct. 12, 2009 in Phoenix, the Falcons were ranked 25th and defeated No. 17 Grand Canyon 1-0 on a 51st-minute goal by Tyler Schultz.

A native of Scottsdale, Ariz., Schultz led SPU with eight goals last year. He went on a recent hot streak this season, recording points in five of six games from Sept. 15 to Oct. 6 with four goals and two assists during that span.



The Antelopes are rated No. 1 in the West Region and have an 8-1-1 record entering Tuesday's (Oct. 12) game at Western Washington. GCU has outscored opponents by a combined 29-8 tally, paced by the 12 goals of Kyle Ciliento. Goalkeeper Ben Paneccasio has five shutouts and a 0.78 goals against average.

SPU compiled an 11-3-3 advantage in the all-time series, including wins in the last two meetings. The Falcons were 2-1 overtime victors in their last visit to Grand Canyon during the 2008 season.

SPU SOCCER TICKETS...

Tickets for SPU soccer games can be purchased on game day at Interbay Stadium (3027 17th Ave. W., Seattle 98119). Ticket windows open one hour prior to kickoff. All seats are general admission and priced at $6 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. SPU students and staff are admitted free. Groups or teams of 10 or more may qualify for reduced ticket rates by calling (206) 281-2085 in advance.

Mary, from Bismarck, N.D., is winless in 11 games despite the fact that seven of those losses were decided by a one-goal margin. Matt Frost leads the attack with three goals.

The Marauders host Montana State Billings on Wednesday before visiting Seattle.

Last season SPU and Mary met at neutral site Billings and a frenetic finish put the Falcons on top. Richie Evoy created two goals during the final 83 seconds of the 2-1 victory. He scored the equalizer at 88:37 and 43 seconds later drew a foul in the box to earn the winning penalty kick at 89:20 by Alec Nelson.

Next week, the second-place Falcons return to Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. SPU has a 3-1-1 record and 10 points, trailing league-leading Simon Fraser (5-1-1) by five points in the standings.

The SPU men are in pursuit of their first GNAC title since 2006. They placed third last season and second in 2008.

Senior Andy Wolverton (Portland, Ore.) leads the Falcons with five goals, four of them coming during the last three games. Sophomore goalkeeper Zach Jonson (Snohomish, Wash./Snohomish HS) has four shutouts and a 1.36 goals against average.