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SEATTLE – The Falcons find ways to avoid losing. They did it again Saturday night and have a record to show for it.
 
Danny Olivas converted a penalty kick with 5:27 left to play as Seattle Pacific stretched its school record-tying unbeaten streak to 13 games with a 1-0 men's soccer home win over South Dakota School of Mines.
 


"We found a way tonight," SPU coach Mark Collings said. "Sure, we would have liked to have more goals, but it only takes one."
 
The Falcons (10-1-3) have not lost since a 1-0 season-opening setback against Chico State on Sept. 7. The SPU record of 13 consecutive games without a defeat was established in 1987 and matched in 1991.
 
"It's fitting that we tied the record on senior night," said Collings, whose three-man senior class was recognized in a pre-game ceremony prior to their final regular-season game at Interbay Stadium.
 
Blaine Carver (Soldotna, Ak.), Kodiac Gamble (Tucson, Ariz.) and Anthony Mohammed (Litchfield Park, Ariz.) helped SPU compile a 45=14-12 record during their four seasons. They are among just seven upperclassmen on the youthful 25-man roster.
 
"We have three great seniors that have meant a lot to this program and a lot to this team in particular as far as their leadership," Collings explained. "These guys have done a really good job and have helped these younger guys along. They've really taken them under their wing and just shown them a lot of the little things it takes to be successful at this level.
 
"Luckily the young guys have figured it out and we've had some big wins along the way here."
 
SPU failed to find the goal with its first 28 shots on Saturday. But the 28th was a hard attempt from the right side of the box by Stephen MacDonald that drew a hand ball foul in the goalmouth on a Hardrockers defender.
 
Olivas (Phoenix, Ariz.) slipped the subsequent penalty kick into the lower right of the goal at 84:33. The sophomore forward has netted two goals this season, both of them game-winners in the waning minutes of regulation.
 
The decisive score came on the final attempt of the night for the Falcons, who outshot the visitors 29-6.
 
"We needed all of those shots," said Collings. "We had some great opportunities that we didn't finish. But credit to them, they played really hard and their keeper certainly played tremendous tonight."
 
Timothy Tribbett compiled seven of his 12 saves during the first half for SD Mines.
 
Cody Lang (Spokane, Wash./Lewis & Clark HS) stopped four shots for the Falcons en route to his seventh shutout. He deflected a shot by Nathan Fricke away from the goal with 57 seconds remaining to preserve the victory.
 
"The thing that's probably carried us during this streak is our defense," Collings said. "We've been difficult to break down and score goals on and then when they do, Cody Lang has been huge all year long."
 
SPU remains the only team undefeated in Great Northwest Athletic Conference games at 8-0-3 in league competition. Saturday's result secured the Falcons fifth straight double-figure overall win total.
 
The Hardrockers (0-14) are still winless in GNAC play with an 0-11 record.
 
The SPU men are on the road for the remainder of the regular season. They visit third-place Western Washington on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. before a clash at league-leading Simon Fraser on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
 
Collings knows the trek north will be treacherous, but believes his Falcons are up to the task.
 
"I've liked our team on the road because we bring a different level of focus. We get them all together and we have a really good routine on the road.
 
"I like our chances. It's going to be difficult, don't get me wrong. But I like this group, the chemistry that we have and the leadership. We'll certainly be ready for the challenge and I'm hoping we can meet it."
 

 
NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013
Interbay Stadium / Seattle, Wash.
 
at Seattle Pacific 1, South Dakota Mines 0
 
Scoring – 1, SPU, Danny Olivas (pk), 84:33.
 
Shots – SDSM 6, SPU 29.
Saves – UM 12 (Timothy Tribbett), SPU 4 (Cody Lang).
Corner Kicks – SDSM 0, SPU 7.
Fouls – SDSM 10, SPU 6.
Offsides – SDSM 0, SPU 1.
 
Records
Seattle Pacific 10-1-3, 8-0-3 GNAC
South Dakota Mines 0-14-0, 0-11-0 GNAC
 
Next SPU Men's Game
Seattle Pacific at Western Washington
Thursday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m. PDT
Orca Field / Bellingham, Wash.