SEATTLE – Marcus Hahnemann came up with four saves in goal, but U.S. international forward Herculez Gomez scored on a rebound early in the second half on Tuesday night, lifting Santos Laguna past the Seattle Sounders in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals, 1-0.
                     
The Mexican side will host the second leg of the series next Tuesday in Torreon, Mexico.
 
Hahnemann, the former Seattle Pacific University star who helped the Falcons win the 1993 NCAA Division II title and went on to a storied career in Europe, got the start when regular Sounders goalkeeper Michael Gspurning had to sit out because of yellow card accumulation in previous CCL games.
 
The only ball that beat Hahnemann at CenturyLink Field came early in the 54^th minute. Seattle had just been denied a scoring opportunity when Hahnemann's counterpart, Santos Laguna keeper Oswaldo Sanchez, made a diving stop of Osvaldo Alonso's shot from the top of the penalty area restraining arc.
 
Santos Laguna immediately went on the counterattack, and Carlos Quintero blasted one from the top of the arc at the other end. Hahnemann made the save on that one, but the rebound went out toward the left side of the box. Gomez was right there and launched it into upper right V.
 
“I thought Marcus was fine. The goal was difficult because it was a misplay from us in the back,” Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said. “As he gets through, (Quintero) hits a shot. He can't hold that cleanly, and then we completely didn't mark up on that side, so obviously, Herculez buried his opportunity.”
 
Added Gomez, “I don't recall who shot and forced a good save out of Marcus, but I was fortunately to get on the end of the rebound. It was just a blur.”
 
Hahnemann, a graduate of Bellevue's Newport High School as well as SPU, came out of retirement last fall to join the Sounders and wrap up his career in his hometown. His only previous game (aside from some preseason contests) was last October in the finale of CCL group stage play.