• Boxscore & Play-by-Play

NAMPA, Idaho – It's difficult to figure what made the Seattle Pacific men happier on Saturday ... their victory, or the end of an extended stretch of road outings.

Tyler Schultz and Kyle Smurdon each netted a first-half goal as the 17th-ranked Falcons completed their lengthy road trip with a 2-0 win over Northwest Nazarene at NNU Soccer Field.

Second-place SPU (9-2-2) improved to 4-1-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play and concluded its eight-game journey with just one loss.

"When we set out at the beginning of the year we looked at the eight-game stretch as a pivotal point in our season," explained Falcons coach Mark Collings. "To come out of it 6-1-1 is certainly good. It sets us up to finish strong over the last five games."

On Thursday, SPU plays at Interbay Stadium for the first time in over a month, hosting the University of Mary at 7 p.m.

The last time the Falcons played at home, they defeated Montana State Billings 2-0 on Sept. 17. Collings is curious what kind of crowd will await his team after 33 days away from Interbay Stadium.

"We're wondering what it's going to feel like. I certainly hope that a lot of people come out and check the team out. They've been working real hard and have done a great job of representing Seattle Pacific.

"We could go for a big turnout to give the guys some support down the stretch so we can continue on our journey toward the postseason."

Schultz (Scottsdale, Ariz.) put the Falcons on the board in the 18th minute Saturday with a short header at the left post off a cross from Drew Williams (Bend, Ore.). The senior forward's league-leading ninth goal was set up by Williams' team-high fifth assist. Schultz is tied for the GNAC scoring lead with Carlo Basso of Simon Fraser.

Smurdon (Sherwood, Ore.) also scored from close-range, providing an insurance goal at 38:47. His six-yard strike came off Jon Pearman's (Glendale, Ariz.) pass from the left flank. That was the first goal of the season for Smurdon.

"We knocked the ball around really well today and it was nice to put a couple balls away," Collings said. "Once again we were rock solid defensively. We gave up only one shot that Zach (Johnson) had to deal with."

Junior goalkeeper Zach Johnson (Snohomish, Wash./Snohomish HS) made one save en route to his fourth straight shutout. Johnson, who has not surrendered a goal in his last 397 minutes, has blanked eight opponents this season.

Zander Engeman gave up both goals, stopping two shots before being replaced at halftime. His successor, Mitch Rice, was credited with three saves for NNU, which was outshot 10-3.

The Crusaders (5-8-1) remained winless in seven GNAC contests.


NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Saturday, October 15, 2011
NNU Soccer Field/Nampa, Idaho

(#17) Seattle Pacific 2, at Northwest Nazarene 0

Scoring – 1, SPU, Tyler Schultz (Drew Williams), 17:30; 2, SPU, Kyle Smurdon (Jon Pearman), 38:47.

Shots – SPU 10, NNU 3.
Saves – SPU 1 (Zach Johnson), NNU 5 (Zander Engeman 2, Mitch Rice 3).
Corner kicks – SPU 5, NNU 0.
Fouls – SPU 14, NNU 14.
Offside – SPU 5, NNU 2.
Ejections -- None.

Records
Seattle Pacific 9-2-2,  4-1-1 GNAC
Northwest Nazarene 5-8-1,  0-7-0 GNAC

Next Game
University of Mary at (#17) Seattle Pacific
Thursday, Oct. 20; Seattle, Wash., 7:00 p.m.