Box Score      • Final Statistics
     • VIDEO: Coach Mark Collings

SEATTLE – Justin Walmsley scored on a header in a crowded goalmouth Saturday, lifting Chico State to a 1-0 win over Seattle Pacific in an NCAA men's soccer game at Interbay Stadium.
 
The loss spoiled the Falcons (0-1) season opener. They were undefeated in eight previous season-starting contests.
 
Chico (2-0) completed a sweep on its Northwest road trip, including a 2-0 victory at Saint Martin's on Thursday.
 
The Wildcats capitalized on a 33rd-minute free kick from the right side. Luis Martinez lofted a cross into the center of the box and Walmsley rose above heavy traffic to flick an eight-yard header into the goal at 32:15.
 
SPU nearly equalized six minutes later, but freshman Chaz Jenkins' (Marysville, Wash./Everett HS) forceful header off a corner kick smashed off the crossbar.
 


"To be frank I thought we played not to lose today instead of getting out and trying to dictate the pace of game," SPU coach Mark Collings described. "They executed their game plan really well and made life difficult for us.
 
"They forced us to play a way that we weren't really comfortable. That was probably about as anemic as out attack could ever look. That being said Chaz gets up and puts one off the crossbar and Sean Russell gets in one-v-one and unfortunately doesn't finish it."
 
Red-shirt freshman goalkeeper Cody Lang (Spokane, Wash./Lewis & Clark) was credited with four saves for the Falcons, who were outshot 14-5.
 
"Overall defensively we were pretty solid. We didn't give up a lot of great opportunities until the game got stretched a little bit," said Collings. "We certainly had chances and defensively I can't really fault our guys.
 
"A lot of guys got their first taste of college soccer today and I thought they handled a very good Chico State team well."
 
SPU's youthful 25-man roster lists 18 underclassmen, including nine freshmen.
 
Chico's James Stroud stopped one shot en route to the shutout.
 
"It's an opening-season loss which is difficult," Collings said. "We're thinking about Tuesday at this point. We'll be ready and see if we can get a tough victory on the road Tuesday to get the season going."
 
The SPU men hit the road for the first time in 2013 with a visit to Dixie State on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time in St. George, Utah. SPU returns home next Saturday, Sept. 14 to host Notre Dame de Namur at 7 p.m. in Interbay Stadium.
 
 
NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013
Interbay Stadium/Seattle, Wash.
 
Chico State 1, Seattle Pacific 0
 
Scoring – 1, Chico, Justin Walmsley (Luis Martinez), 32:15.
 
Shots – Chico 14, SPU 5.
Saves – Chico 1 (James Stroud), SPU 4 (Cody Lang).
Corner Kicks – Chico 3, SPU 4.
Fouls – Chico 10, SPU 11.
Offsides – Chico 2, SPU 1.
 
Records:
Seattle Pacific 0-1-0
Chico State 2-0-0
 
Next SPU Game:
Seattle Pacific at Dixie State
Tuesday, Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m.
Hansen Stadium/St. George, Utah