LACEY, Wash. – Alden Massey tallied two goals, including the go-ahead score early in the second half for Seattle Pacific, which avenged a previous loss to Saint Martin's with Wednesday afternoon's 3-1 men's soccer victory at Saints Field.
 
SPU (3-1-0) won its third straight game, each of them coming on the strength of a trio of goals. After starting the season on March 24 with a 2-1 home loss to Saint Martin's, the Falcons defeated Pacific Lutheran 3-1 and Puget Sound 3-2.
 
"We were more aggressive in the final third today. We felt like last time we played Saint Martin's, we did a lot of good work to get there, and then once we got to the final third let them off the hook with some early shots and early service," said SPU coach Mark Collings. "Today we drove into the box, created a lot of issues and we were able to finish a few more.
 
"Defensively, we were a little loose for my liking, but then we tightened up as the game went on. A good team effort, good progress shown by the group."
 
Swallow netted the visitors' first goal in the 23rd minute and assisted on the second. That was a 31st-minute strike by Massey, who notched his second score three minutes after intermission.
 
Those were the first goals of the season for both Massey and Swallow. It marked the second career multi-goal game for Massey, who had a hat trick versus Hawaii-Hilo on Sept. 15, 2018.
 
ALDEN MASSEY 2ND GOAL

Lars Helleren was credited with the win in goal for the Falcons. He played the first 45 minutes before leaving at halftime in favor of Cam Welty, who was called upon to stop two shots.
 
Hunter Askland made six saves for the Saints (2-6-1), who were outshot by a 15-6 margin. The Falcons put nine of their shots on frame while limiting SMU to just three attempts directly on goal.
 
Seattle Pacific had to come from behind as the Saints struck first on their initial shot of the game, at 9:35.
 
Seth Kobata served a cross from the far left wide, 15 yards outside the 18-yard box. The ball soared to the top of the 6-yard box where Jason Fairhurst headed it into the SPU goal, just to the right of Helleren.
 
Fairhurst was the Saints leading scorer a year ago with five goals, but had just one prior to Wednesday's effort.
 
"The response to their goal was great, but our start was poor. We were flat and slow," Collings described. "Once that goal went, we picked it up a bit. It's something that has plagued us this spring and something that we've got to sort out and start a little quicker."
 
Swallow found the equalizer at 22:23, following up on Titus Grant's low shot after a dribbling run into the left side and the box. The goalkeeper got a light touch to deflect the shot, but the rebound trickled to the right side where Swallow beat a defender to the ball and pushed it into the Saints goal.
 
TRAVIS SWALLOW GOAL

The senior initiated the go-ahead goal, scored by Massey at 30:18. Swallow dribbled through the offensive half before laying off a low pass to Massey streaking into the right side of the box. Massey took one touch before delivering a low, 15-yard strike inside the far post at 30:18.
 
"Travis was awesome, not only to have a final product and score. The amount of ground he covered in the midfield and the work he put in to allow us to do what we were doing was remarkable," said Collings. "For him to be playmaker, goal-scorer and the guy that did all the work is a testament to who he is and what he means to our program."
 
The Falcons added to the 2-1 lead early in the second half, and it was Massey who again did the damage. He ran on to a long through ball to the right flank from freshman defender Evan Aune and, while dribbling, cut past an SMU defender toward the center of the box. Massey finished at 48:03 from 13 yards out with a well-placed, low shot into the left side of the goal.
 
The two scores were recompense for Massey, who missed a prime opportunity for the equalizer in the 17th minute. He was tripped in the right side of the box, inducing a penalty kick. Massey stepped to the 12-yard spot, but his attempt sailed high.
 
"Alden's response to the miss was tremendous," Collings said. "It shows the mental strength that he has and shows that he's grown as a player. Maybe a couple years ago he doesn't have quite the same reaction.
 
"He was causing a lot of fits out there and was really good for us today. Alden probably could have had a couple more."
 
The Falcons men return home for a May 1 exhibition game against the Tacoma Defiance, the USL Championship affiliate of Seattle Sounders FC. Kick-off is noon at Interbay Stadium. Fans are not allowed to attend Falcons home games, but they can be viewed live online at --  https://www.youtube.com/user/SPUsports
 
"It will be great for our guys to see what next-level players look like," Collings said of the matchup against the Defiance.
 
"To play a professional team is a great opportunity for us and a great measuring stick, especially for our players that have aspirations of playing at the next level. What a great opportunity to see what it looks like against those players."
 
NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Saints Field / Lacey, Wash.
 
Seattle Pacific 3, at Saint Martin's 1
 
Scoring – 1, SMU, Jason Fairhurst (Seth Kobata), 9:35; 2, SPU, Travis Swallow (unassisted), 22:23; 3, SPU, Alden Massey (Swallow), 30:18; 4, SPU, Massey (unassisted), 48:08.
 
                       1   2  --  TOTAL
Seattle Pacific        2   1  --    3
Saint Martin's         1   0  --    1
 
Shots – SPU 15, SMU 6.
Shots on Goal – SPU 9, SMU 3.
Saves – SPU 2 (Lars Helleren 0, Cam Welty 2), SMU 6 (Hunter Askland).
Corner Kicks – SPU 5, SMU 2.
Fouls – SPU 15, SMU 11.
Offsides – SPU 2, SMU 0.
 
Records
Seattle Pacific 3-1-0
Saint Martin's 2-6-1
 
Next SPU Men's Soccer Game
Tacoma Defiance at Seattle Pacific
Saturday, May 1, 12:00 p.m. PDT
Interbay Stadium / Seattle, Wash.