• Boxscore & Play-by-Play
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SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific men outshot Northwest Nazarene 26-7, but were unable to find the back of the net on Saturday as the Great Northwest Athletic Conference soccer rivals battled to a 0-0 double-overtime tie at Interbay Stadium.
 
The two teams got the same scoreless result in their first meeting on Sept. 20 in Nampa, Idaho.
 
SPU (9-1-3) remains third in the league standings with a 5-1-3 record. The Crusaders (7-2-4) retain their second-place standing with a 6-0-3 GNAC mark.
 


The Falcons had a prime scoring opportunity in the 26th minute when Caleb Nyone was fouled deep in the right side of the NNU box. They did not capitalize on the ensuing penalty kick as senior Richie Evoy's shot caromed off the right post.
 
SPU limited the Crusaders to just two attempts directly on goal and senior goalkeeper Zach Johnson stopped both of those en route to his sixth shutout. NNU was held without a shot during the two, 10-minute overtimes while the Falcons tried seven in extra time.
 
“Defensively I thought we were good and it really started with our attack,” said SPU coach Mark Collings. “We had the ball a lot. In games like this, though, it can be difficult because you get caught with numbers forward and you are in your attacking shape. It leaves you a little bit exposed for the counter, which is what they were trying to bank on.”
 
Crusaders goalkeeper Alfredo Ontiveros also posted a shutout. He stopped four shots and teammate Sal Sanchez denied another dangerous chance, blocking a header by SPU's Jon Pearman near the goal line in the fifth minute of the first overtime.
 
“Northwest Nazarene played really hard and Coe (Michaelson) has done a fantastic coaching job,” Collings said. “That's the best NNU team I've seen. They made life difficult for us. Their goalkeeper made a couple good saves and we made a couple poor finishes.”
 
SPU played with a man-advantage during the last 6:43 of the final overtime after the Crusaders Zane Meehan was red-carded. He was ejected in the 104th minute, forcing NNU to continue with 10 players.
 
The Falcons are away next week for their final regular-season road trip. They play the two newest GNAC men's soccer members, visiting U-Mary on Thursday in Bismarch, N.D. and Sioux Falls on Saturday.
 
“We've been to Bismarck so we know a little bit of what to expect there. But we weren't there at this time of year so that always will make it interesting,” said Collings. “We'll definitely be looking at the forecast.
 
“I do like our team on the road. We bring a good focus when we're on the road and we're always prepared. That will be good for us, but at the same time it's never good to go out on the road just because it's so tough to win.”
 
 
NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Interbay Stadium/Seattle, Wash.
 
at #9 Seattle Pacific 0, Northwest Nazarene 0 (2ot)
 
Scoring – None.
 
Shots – NNU 7, SPU 26.
Saves – NNU 4 (Alfredo Ontiveros), SPU 2 (Zach Johnson).
Corner kicks – NNU 3, SPU 6.
Fouls – NNU 30, SPU 22.
Offsides – NNU 2, SPU 4.
Ejections -- NNU, Zane Meehan, 103:17.
 
Records:
Seattle Pacific 9-1-3,  5-1-3 GNAC
Northwest Nazarene 7-2-4,  6-0-3 GNAC
 
Next SPU Men's Soccer Game:
Seattle Pacific at U-Mary
Thursday, Oct. 18, Bismarck, N.D., 5:00 p.m. PDT