• FINAL STATS

NAMPA, Idaho – Gabe Kellum scored the first goal and assisted on the next two Saturday for Seattle Pacific, which routed Northwest Nazarene 4-1 in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's soccer game at NNU Soccer Field.
 
Kellum's opening goal came in the eighth minute, but the Crusaders leveled the score eight minutes later.
 
Freshman Alex Mejia found the goal for the second straight game with a 21st-minute header that put the visitors ahead for good. Kellum set up that score, as well as Samuel Agyei's header six minutes into the second half. Andrew Ivaldi capped the scoring with 2:08 left to play.
 
Twenty players saw action for the Falcons and all of them compiled double-digit minutes. Seven different players factored into their scoring.
 
"Our depth is really starting to pay off. I really like the fact that guys are stepping up when we need them," said Coach Mark Collings. "We were a little dinged up and some guys came in and gave us some real valuable minutes. I'm just proud of how hard this group is playing together right now."
 
SPU (6-2-1) improved to 2-1-1 in conference play after sweeping both road games this week, including a 2-1 decision on Thursday at Montana State Billings.
 
The Falcons retained their perfect road record, having won all four outings away from Seattle. Continued success away from home will be crucial as Saturday was their second of five consecutive road contests.
 
"Our focus has been really good on the road," Collins explained "Maybe just being together and having some of the distractions away from us has been good. Our guys have really been able to keep our attention on the task at hand."
 
The visitors were extremely efficient, scoring on half of their eight shots. The other four attempts were on frame as well, but were saved by NNU goalkeeper Jacob Hillyer.
 
Kary Whitney patrolled the SPU goal and held the hosts to the lone score by compiling eight saves. With the Falcons leading by two goals in the 78th minute, Whitney dove to his left to block a penalty kick by Michael Bryant and repel any thoughts of a rally.
 
"Kary made many big plays, none bigger than when it was 3-1 and they got a penalty kick that he saved," Collings said. "A great performance from him today really helped us."
 
The Crusaders (4-4-0) fell to 1-2-0 in GNAC games despite an 11-8 shot advantage.
 
Kellum netted his third goal of the season, finishing from five yards out to start the scoring at 7:10. The senior forward reached a cross from Jacob Bohl (Bonney Lake HS) and flicked it inside the left post with the outside of his right foot.
 
A long through pass from Rafael Junqueira set up the equalizer for NNU. Jake Levine received the ball and slipped a shot inside the right post at 15:44.
 
Extraordinary effort by Kellum created SPU's go-ahead score. He raced to the endline on the right side, beating the goalkeeper to the ball before looping it high across the goalmouth. Mejia was alone at the left post and delivered a short-range header into the open net at 20:59.
 
A product of Seattle's Roosevelt High School, Mejia contributed a goal and assist in Thursday's win. He now has two career goals as a Falcon.
 
Agyei (Cascade HS) got into the act at 51:47 with his second score of the season. The sophomore forward found the goal with a header inside the right post off a cross from Kellum.

 

At 87:52, Ivaldi quickly redirected a pass after a blocked shot for his first collegiate goal. Freshmen Josh Velazquez and Titus Grant were credited with assists on the play.
 
Both teams completed the game with 10 men as SPU's Ryan Higgins and the Crusaders' Bryant were issued red cards in the 79th minute.
 
The Falcons continue their extended road trip with a visit to Bellingham on Thursday for 7:30 p.m. game against Western Washington. The Vikings won this season's first meeting, rallying from two goals down for a 3-2 overtime decision on Sept. 23 in Seattle.
 
That was the lone SPU loss during the last eight games with a 6-1-1 record during that span.
 
"We are really looking forward to it. We felt like we gave one away last time and so to have an opportunity to go up there and maybe gets things right this time will be good for us," Collings said.
 
"But it's a big challenge. Western Washington is very good and they've been on a bit of a run here. It will be a big game for us and we'll certainly do our best to be ready for that."
 
 
NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Saturday, September 30, 2017
NNU Soccer Field / Nampa, Idaho
 
Seattle Pacific 4, at Northwest Nazarene 1
 
Scoring – 1, SPU, Gabe Kellum (Jacob Bohl), 7:10; 2, NNU, Jake Levine (Rafael Junqueira), 15:44; 3, SPU, Alex Mejia (Kellum), 2059; 4, SPU, Samuel Agyei (Kellum), 51:47; 5, SPU, Andrew Ivaldi (Josh Velazquez, Titus Grant), 87:52.
 
                       1   2  --  TOTAL
Seattle Pacific        2   2  --    4
Northwest Nazarene     1   0  --    1
 
Shots – SPU 8, NNU 11.
Shots on Goal – SPU 8, NNU 9.
Saves – SPU 8 (Kary Whitney), NNU 4 (Jacob Hillyer).
Corner Kicks – SPU 2, NNU 7.
Fouls – SPU 14, NNU 10.
Offsides – SPU 1, NNU 1.
 
Records
Seattle Pacific 6-2-1, 2-1-1 GNAC
Northwest Nazarene 4-4-0, 1-2-0 GNAC
 
Next SPU Men's Soccer Game
Seattle Pacific at Western Washington
Thursday, Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m. PDT
Harrington Field / Bellingham, Wash.