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     • VIDEO: Kyle  Smurdon

SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific men's soccer team didn't play a home game at Interbay Stadium for over a month. When they returned Thursday, the Falcons seemed to use only half of the field.

Tyler Schultz registered two goals and an assist, leading a dominant performance by 20th-ranked SPU, which did not allow a shot during a 5-0 non-conference victory over the University of Mary.

The Marauders (2-8-2) were outshot 25-0, including a 17-0 margin during the first half when SPU built a 3-0 advantage. The Falcons controlled the run of play, keeping the ball in their offensive half and amassing 13 corner kicks, while surrendering none.

“I don't think I have ever been involved in a game where we haven't allow a shot, so that's good for our defense,” said junior Kyle Smurdon, who scored SPU's third goal. “Right now we're really confident in the back. We have a good corps of guys back there and they really communicate well and they are solid in the air.”

The beneficiary of the suffocating defense was junior goalkeeper Zach Johnson (Snohomish, Wash./Snohomish HS), who did not need to make a save as his box was rarely breached. He picked up his fifth straight shutout.

Johnson blanked nine opponents this season and has not surrendered a goal in the last 487 minutes.

The Falcons improved to 10-2-2, including a 6-1-1 record outside Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. Second-place SPU completes the season with four league games, including Saturday's 3 p.m. contest at Saint Martin's.



Last Saturday, the SPU men completed an eight-game road trip that began on Sept. 21 with a 5-2 win against Mary in Bismarck, N.D. Their last home game at Interbay came on Sept. 17.

“It's been over a month since we played here, it's been awhile,” said Smurdon. “It felt really good to be back here playing in front of our fans.”

Schultz (Scottsdale, Ariz.) increased his team and GNAC-leading goal total to a career-high 11. He led the squad with 10 goals in 2010 and eight in 2009.

The senior forward opened the scoring at 14:51. Drew Williams (Bend, Ore.) dribbled through traffic in the right side of the box before sending a short pass to Schultz, who first-timed a 9-yard strike into the upper right corner.

Schultz struck again at 59:05, flicking a 15-yard attempt over the goalkeeper for the Falcons fourth goal.

“He's so dynamic, he's probably the fastest guy on our team,” Smurdon described. “He's deceptive, he finishes and he just knows how to play. He's a complete forward really, who has a great ability to score.”

Freshman Evan Robicheau (Puyallup, Wash./Puyallup HS) got the SPU's second goal, at 23:47, the first of his collegiate career. Williams quickly made a lateral pass on a free kick to set up a clear shooting path away from Mary's defensive wall. Robicheau directed a low, 30-yard drive into the right side of the goal.

Smurdon (Sherwood, Ore.) found the net at 38:41, running on to a pass from Schultz and pounding a 12-yard shot from a right angle into the upper left side.

Senior Ryan Brand (Portland, Ore.) capped the scoring at 82:56, breaking into the box and slipping a 14-yard shot just inside the left post for his fourth goal of the season.

Marauders goalkeeper Michael Frenzel kept the SPU scoring total from climbing even higher. He was credited with four saves.

After Saturday's game at Saint Martin's the Falcons play their final three regular-season games at home. The first is a clash against top-ranked Simon Fraser on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.


NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Interbay Stadium/Seattle, Wash.

at (#20) Seattle Pacific 5, University of Mary 0

Scoring – 1, SPU, Tyler Schultz (Christopher Morris, Drew Williams), 14:51; 2, SPU, Evan Robicheau (Williams), 23:47; 3, SPU, Kyle Smurdon (Sean Russell, Schultz), 38:41; 4, SPU, Schultz (Brandon Kuenzi, Blaine Carver), 59:05; 5, Ryan Brand (Taylor Backous), 82:56.

Shots – Mary 0, SPU 25.
Saves – Mary 4 (Michael Frenzel), SPU 0 (Zach Johnson).
Corner kicks – Mary 0, SPU 13.
Fouls – Mary 10, SPU 12.
Offsides – Mary 0, SPU 6.
Ejections – None.
Attendance – 206.

Records
Seattle Pacific 10-2-2
University of Mary 2-8-2

Next game
Seattle Pacific at Saint Martin's
Saturday, Oct. 22, 3:00 p.m.