Box Score

CHICO, Calif. – Stephen MacDonald stripped the ball from the Humboldt State goalkeeper and slipped a shot into the goal in the 63rd minute Thursday, lifting Seattle Pacific to a 1-0 victory in the season-opening men's soccer game at University Soccer Field.
 
The Falcons (1-0) battled the bruising HSU squad as well as the 100-degree temperature during the late-afternoon, non-conference contest.
 
"The best thing to combat the heat is that we have a lot of good players," said seventh-year SPU coach Mark Collings. "Our depth really paid off today and we were able to sub quite a few guys.
 
"Our fitness and the fact that we have so many guys that are capable of helping and playing solid minutes made the difference today."
 
During a scoreless first half, SPU outshot the Lumberjacks 6-3.
 
MacDonald (Phoenix, Ariz.) broke the deadlock at 62:58, racing into the box as Javier Torres was receiving a back pass off a free kick. After the keeper took a touch, MacDonald poked the ball away with his left foot and dribbled to his right before scoring from close range.
 
"We've been spending time on pressing and looking at our forwards to put more pressure on people," Collings said. "Stephen took a risk and went and pressed and was able to strip it off the goalkeeper and finish it. His hard work was definitely rewarded with a nice goal."
 
A sophomore from Phoenix, Ariz., MacDonald tied for top SPU scoring honors with four goals in 2013 during his inaugural collegiate campaign.
 
The Falcons defense prevented any dangerous opportunities, enabling sophomore goalkeeper Cody Lang (Spokane, Wash./Lewis & Clark HS) to record the shutout while making just one save.
 
Torres was credited with six saves for the Lumberjacks, who were outshot 14-6 for the game.
 
The Falcons lost only once in their last nine season-opening games. That setback came last year in Seattle, a 1-0 defeat against Chico State.
 
The Falcons remain in California for a 7 p.m. game on Saturday against Chico. The Wildcats eliminated SPU from last year's NCAA Division II Tournament with a 1-0 decision.
 
 
NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014
University Soccer Stadium/Chico, Calif.
 
Seattle Pacific 1, Humboldt State 0
 
Scoring – 1, SPU, Stephen MacDonald, 62:58.
 
Shots – SPU 14, HSU 6.
Saves – SPU 1 (Cody Lang), HSU 6 (Javier Torres).
Corner Kicks – SPU 5, HSU 5.
Fouls – SPU 8, HSU 13.
 
Records
Seattle Pacific 1-0-0
Humboldt State 0-1-0
 
Next SPU Men's Soccer Game
Seattle Pacific at Chico State
Saturday, Sept. 6, 7:00 p.m.
University Soccer Stadium / Chico, Calif.