Box Score    |     VIDEO: Ian  Adams

SEATTLE – An off-season adjustment paid immediate in-season dividends for the Falcons.
 
Newly-designated forward Ian Adams netted a golden goal 3:13 into overtime Thursday, lifting eighth-ranked Seattle Pacific to a 1-0 non-conference men's soccer win over California Baptist in the season-opening game for both teams at Interbay Stadium.
 
The Falcons (1-0) had a 4-1 advantage in shots-on-goal during the 90 minutes of regulation, but were still embroiled in scoreless tie.
 
Adams (Shoreline, Wash./Shorecrest HS) ended the game at 93:13 on the first shot of the extra session. A trio of SPU seniors combined to create the winning goal.
 
Danny Olivas hurled a long throw-in to the center of the box from the left sideline. Bryson Pavel rose to flick the ball on toward the left post where Adams reached it for a low four-yard finish past goalkeeper Noah Oyler.
 
That was the seventh career goal for Adams and three of those were game-winning strikes.
 


Thursday marked the debut of Adams as a forward after serving his first three seasons in the midfield.
 
"We looked at moving Ian forward in the spring after watching film and talking to him," said Coach Mark Collings. "You have to try to get the best group of players together and we felt like moving Ian up top gave us something."
 
The Falcons visited Spain from August 6-16 and played four games in Madrid. Adams compiled a team-high three goals an added an assist during the trip solidifying his status as a forward. His counterpart up top, Stephen MacDonald, had two goals and an assist.
 
"Ian and Stephen seemed to connect pretty well in the spring and they both were very, very good in Spain as well. We just kind of stuck with that and it paid off tonight."
 
Junior goalkeeper Cody Lang needed just one save to record the 18th shutout of his SPU career.
 
Oyler stopped four shots for the Lancers (0-1).
 
"For a first game of the season it was a pretty high-level game. Fortunately we were able to finish an opportunity," said Collings, who directed the Falcons into the NCAA Division II Tournament in each of the last four years.

 

During regulation, Pavel (Boise, Idaho) nearly broke the deadlock in the 56th minute with a long dribbling run through four defenders that broke him free into the left side of the box. His low shot was deflected wide by Oyler.
 
The Lancers best chance came in the 68th minute off the foot of Aidan Apodaca. He collected a loose ball off a corner kick at the top of the box and lined a hard shot just wide of the left post.
 
The Falcons have won 10 of their last 11 season-opening games. The lone setback came during the inaugural game of 2013, a 1-0 defeat against Chico State in Seattle.
 
The Falcons remain home to host that Chico State squad on Saturday. Kick-off is 7 p.m. at Interbay Stadium.
 
 
NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015
Interbay Stadium / Seattle, Wash.
 
Seattle Pacific 1, California Baptist 0 (ot)
 
Scoring – 1, SPU, Ian Adams (Bryson Pavel, Danny Olivas), 93:13.
 
Shots – CBU 6, SPU 10.
Saves – CBU 4 (Noah Oyler), SPU 1 (Cody Lang).
Corner Kicks – CBU 2, SPU 10.
Fouls – CBU 14, SPU 8.
 
Records
Seattle Pacific 1-0-0
California Baptist 0-1-0
 
Next SPU Men's Game
Chico State at Seattle Pacific
Saturday, Sept. 5, 7:00 p.m.
Interbay Stadium / Seattle, Wash.