• Boxscore & Play-by-Play

CHICO, Calif. -- Freshman Danny Olivas answered a tying score by 23rd-ranked Chico State with his first collegiate goal that proved to be the game-winner Saturday in 11th-ranked Seattle Pacific's 3-1 non-conference men's soccer victory at University Soccer Field.
 
The Falcons (2-0) completed a perfect opening road trip that began on Thursday with a 4-2 win at Notre Dame de Namur. They started the season with two wins for the first time since 2002.
 
Senior Elliot Morton (Tacoma, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) put SPU on the board at 18:24. He pushed in a loose ball at the left post from five yards out.
 
The Wildcats (1-1) drew even when Akwafei Ajeakwa touched the ball around goalkeeper Zach Johnson and slotted it into the open goal at 36:15.
 
Olivas (Phoenix, Ariz.) responded less than two minutes later, curving a 20-yard free kick around the defensive wall and into the right side of the Chico goal at 37:59.
 
“It was an intense game between two very good teams and tonight we really showed our depth,” said SPU coach Mark Collings. “We were able to bring some guys in and Danny hit a big-time free kick right after they scored, to give us the momentum back.
 
“We want players on the ball that feel confident. He stepped up and was able to deliver.”
 
Just two games into the season and the Falcons already have goals from five different players. They hoped a balanced offense would fill the scoring void left by the departure of All-America forward Tyler Schultz, who amassed 16 goals in 2011.
 
The only current SPU player with more than one goal is junior Blaine Carver (Soldotna, Ak.), who netted an insurance tally at 51:50. He collected the ball in the goalmouth and slipped a short shot past Chico goalkeeper Sam Evans.
 
Johnson (Snohomish, Wash./Snohomish) stopped two shots for SPU, which was outshot by a slim 13-11 margin. Evans was credited with three saves.
 
“As good as we were, we need to get better,” Collings said. “So our plan right now is to get a few days of training to get better and then we have a tough game on Friday with Dixie.”
 
The next action for the SPU men is Sept. 7 against Dixie State. Kick-off is 7 p.m. at Interbay Stadium.
 
 “It's our home opener and we're looking forward to playing in front of our fans. Hopefully we can put on a good show,” Collings concluded.

NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Saturday, September 1, 2012
University Soccer Stadium/Chico, Calif.
 
(#11) Seattle Pacific 3, at (#23) Chico State 1
 
Scoring – 1, SPU, Elliot Morton (Christopher Morris), 18:24; 2, CSU, Akwafei Ajeakwa (Kramer Runager), 36:15; 3, SPU, Danny Olivas, 37:59; 4, SPU, Blaine Carver, 51:50.
 
Shots – SPU 11, CSU 13.
Saves – SPU 2 (Zach Johnson), CSU 4 (Sam Evans 3).
Corner kicks – SPU 1, CSU 7.
Fouls – SPU 12, CSU 14.
Offsides – SPU 0, CSU 3.
Ejections – None.
 
Records
Seattle Pacific 2-0-0
Chico State 1-1-0
 
Next game
Dixie State at (#11) Seattle Pacific
Friday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m., Interbay Stadium