• FINAL STATS

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Samuel Agyei netted the equalizer late in the second half Saturday, but Seattle Pacific was unable to overcome having to play a man down for the final third of the game and lost 2-1 in overtime against Sonoma State in a non-conference men's soccer game at the Seawolf Soccer Field.
 
Sebastian Santos tallied the game-winner just 1-minute, 15-seconds into overtime. His golden goal was initiated by an SPU foul just outside the box. Luis Mendoza sent the ensuing free kick off the right post and the ball rebounded to Santos for the put-back at 91:15.
 
The Falcons (0-2) lost their second straight game, and had a man sent off in both of them. Sam Rucklos was shown a red card for a high kick in the 59th minute, forcing them to play with 10 men for the final 31:31 of regulation and then overtime.
 
Sonoma (1-1-0) quickly capitalized on the man advantage, getting an unassisted goal by Mendoza at 65:05.
 
SPU equalized five minutes later on a goal set up by freshman Alden Massey. He beat a defender down the left flank before serving a cross to Agyei for the first-time tap-in at 70:35.
 
That was the fifth career goal for Agyei, a product of Cascade High School in Everett, Wash. Massey, from Cedarcrest High School in Duvall, Wash., was credited with his first SPU assist. He made his collegiate debut in Thursday's 2-0 loss at Chico State.

 

Massey had a wonderful chance at a game-winner late in regulation, but his header was deflected by Seawolves goalkeeper Arturo Ornelas. The ball caromed to Travis Swallow, who sent a shot directly at Ornelas with just over six minutes to play. That was the last attempt by either team before the extra session.
 
"We battled back a man down and had a chance to win the game, that's all you can ask," said 11th-year SPU coach Mark Collings. "We played pretty well, but you just can't play a man down for 30 minutes and expect to succeed."
 
Freshman goalkeeper Lars Helleren (Kings' HS) stopped six shots for SPU and Ornelas had three saves for the hosts.
 
Sonoma finished the game with a 20-10 shot advantage despite facing a 6-4 deficit after the first half.
 
The Falcons remain on the road for a pair of games in Southern California next week. They visit Azusa Pacific on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. before a clash with 23rd-ranked Point Loma on Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
"We've got to stay disciplined and not press. We know what we need to do, we just need to be more disciplined in doing it," Collings concluded.
 
"We keep making big mistakes. If it's not a penalty kick it's a red card. You just can't give opportunities like that and expect to win games."
 
 
THROW INS
• Four freshmen were in the Falcons starting lineup: Lars Helleren, Alden Massey, Mario Vukic and Ed Weise.
• A fifth newcomer also started, senior Reid Baez who transferred from the University of Portland.
• SPU has played 42 of the 182 minutes this season with just 10 men. Titus Grant received a second yellow card on Thursday and was sent off with 8:43 left to play. Sam Rucklos got a straight red in the 59th minute Saturday, forcing the Falcons to play short-handed for the final 32:46.
 
 
NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Seawolf Soccer Field / Rohnert Park, Calif.
 
at Sonoma State 2, Seattle Pacific 1 (ot)
 
Scoring – 1, SSU, Luis Mendoza, 65:05; 2, SPU, Samuel Agyei (Alden Massey), 70:35; 3, SSU, Sebastian Santos, 91:15.
 
                        1   2  OT  --  TOTAL
Seattle Pacific         0   1   0  --    1
Sonoma State            0   1   1  --    2
 
Shots – SPU 10, SSU 20.
Saves – SPU 6 (Lars Helleren), SSU 3 (Arturo Ornelas).
Corner Kicks – SPU 2, SSU 1.
Fouls – SPU 14, SSU 15.
Offsides – SPU 5, SSU 2.
 
Records
Seattle Pacific 0-2-0
Sonoma State 1-1-0
 
Next SPU Men's Soccer Game
Seattle Pacific at Azusa Pacific
Thursday, Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. PDT
Cougar Soccer Complex / Azusa, Calif.