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     VIDEOS:   • Zach  Johnson   |   • Coach Mark  Collings

SEATTLE – Zach Johnson made four saves, including one at the left post midway through the second and final sudden-death overtime period on Thursday night as the Seattle Pacific men opened their soccer season by playing to a 0-0 tie against eighth-ranked Chico State at Interbay Stadium.

The teams combined for 32 shots, none of which went into the net. Chico put four shots on frame and SPU had three.

It was the second straight year the Falcons (0-0-1) played to a scoreless draw at home in their season opener, having done so against Humboldt State in 2010.

Both teams had prime scoring opportunities. The last one for Chico came with 6:10 left in the second 10-minute overtime period when Octavio Guzman took the ball down the left wing and into the penalty area. He sent it toward the near post, and Ferid Celosmanovic, who beat SPU with the only goal of the game last year in California, ran onto it, trying to redirect it into the net. But Johnson moved to his right and stretched to knock the ball wide.

"The save in overtime was pretty big-time," exclaimed SPU coach Mark Collings. "I'm not sure a year ago he gets to that ball. But a little extra strength and explosiveness he got to it. He provided the rock we need back there."

Johnson, a junior from Snohomish (Wash.) High School, also made a save on Celosmanovic at the right post with 8:14 left in regulation.



"Our defense played their heart out. Chico had a couple opportunities and fortunately we were able to keep them out of the net," Johnson said.

"Both teams were battling hard. We did the best we could, unfortunately we just couldn't score today."

The Wildcats thought they were the beneficiary of an own goal with 33:22 left in regulation, but the offside flag went up, keeping the game scoreless.

The Falcons had three chances midway through the second half, but came up empty: one by Richie Evoy that bounced off the top of the crossbar, one by Ryan Brand in the box that was saved by Chico goalkeeper Sam Evans while he was down on the ground, and another by Brand that curled just wide left.

"It's a fair result between two really good teams. It's good for us to play a game like this of playoff caliber," said Collings. "We had our chances, they had their chances.

"I'm encouraged, it's a good starting point. It gets the season rolling off a very strong opponent and we'll regroup and get ready for next week."

Seattle Pacific returns to action next Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against Notre Dame de Namur at Interbay.



NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Interbay Stadium/Seattle, Wash.

Seattle Pacific 0, (#8) Chico State 0, 2ot

Scoring – None.

Shots – Chico 17, SPU 15.
Saves – Chico (Sam Evans) 3, SPU (Zach Johnson) 4.
Corner kicks – Chico 3, SPU 9.
Fouls – Chico 14, SPU 9.
Offsides – Chico 4, SPU 2.
Cautions – Jon Pearman (SPU) 24:49; Brandon Kuenzi (SPU) 81:20; Jake Ward (Chico) 86:41; Cody Levar (Chico) 91:22.
Ejections – None.
Attendance – 457.

Records – Seattle Pacific 0-0-1, Chico State 0-0-1.

Next game –
Notre Dame de Namur at Seattle Pacific
Thursday, Sept. 8, Interbay Stadium, 7:30 p.m.