SEATTLE – They weren't able to put any of their own shots into the net. But the Seattle Pacific Falcons kept all of Chico State's shots out.
 
Senior goalkeeper Lars Helleren was credited with four saves, and SPU limited Chico to just two shots in the second half on a very warm Thursday evening to open the men's soccer season with a 0-0 non-conference tie at Interbay Stadium.
 
The game went into the books as a draw after the regulation 90 minutes, as the NCAA has eliminated the two 10-minute golden goal overtime periods for regular-season play beginning this fall.
 
"Any time you can get a clean sheet, we'll take it," Falcons head coach Kevin Sakuda said.. "We'd like to see that second-half performance stretch over the full 90 minutes.".
 
After being outshot 11-2 during the first half, SPU turned the flow in its favor through the second 45 minutes, with  9-2 advantage in shots.
 




The Falcons saw a blast by Connor Tollan bounce off the crossbar with 36 minutes left in the game. Then with just under 13 minutes to go, Alden Massey's attempt from the top of the penalty area was barely deflected by Wildcats goalkeeper Luis Albarran and slammed off the right goalpost.
 
"We were pretty pleased in the second half. It felt like we settled down," head coach Kevin Sakuda said. "Obviously, the first 15 or 20 minutes was a little dicey. But once the guys settled in, credit to the guys who came in, we settled things down in the second half and controlled the game."
 
One ball did get into the net, that by Kameron Kascht of the Wildcats with 17:33 to play when he knocked in the rebound of the initial shot by Miles Rice. But the offside flag immediately went up, nullifying the goal.
 
Chico State had the decided advantage during the first half. The Wildcats had a near miss in the sixth minute when SPU goalkeeper Helleren came way off his line to deflect a shot by Miles Rice. A shot on the ensuing rebound was kicked clear of the open net by a Falcons defender.
 
Then in the 30th minute, Chico had back-to-back attempts again. Anthony Kaskie's shot from the top of the penalty area to the left side of the arc was saved, and Adrian Fontanelli then blasted the rebound wide right.
 
Seattle Pacific also had a pair of dangerous first-half opportunities. A header directly in front of the right post by senior defender Ed Weise was saved early in the 30^th minute.
 
Midway through the 42^nd minute, a cross from deep on the attacking right side by Aidan Thrall landed just inside Chico State goalkeeper Luis Albarran's 6-yard box. He tried to smother the ball, but it came loose with Owen Gortner of the Falcons right there. But before Gortner could take a shot at the wide-open net, Albarran was able to gain control.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
-- Chico State had the edge in the final shot count, but not by much: 13-11.
-- A total of 20 Falcons saw action on Thursday. "I was telling the guys that the strength of this group is we do have so much depth," coach Kevin Sakuda said. "That's exciting to see some of the younger guys step up. I was excited to see the depth we have and the different options we can put out there."
-- SPU is now 34-11-10 in season openers.
-- The all-time series between the Falcons and Wildcats remains even at 21-21-4.
 
UP NEXT
The Falcons return to action on Saturday against Sonoma State at Interbay Stadium. Kickoff is at 3:00 p.m.
 
 
NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Interbay Stadium / Seattle, Wash.
 
Seattle Pacific 0, Chico State 0
 
Scoring – None.

Shots – Chico 13, SPU 11.
Saves – Chico (Albarran) 4, SPU (Helleren) 4.
Corner kicks – Chico 4, SPU 7.
Fouls – Chico 17, SPU 10.
Offsides – Chico 6, SPU 1.
Cautions – Chico: Huggins 29:10, Fritz 48:00, Ralph 71:21 SPU: Gortner 42:43, J. Thrall 60:52, SPU bench 62:52, Zazueta 66:06.
Ejections – None.
Attendance – 172.
 
Records
Seattle Pacific 0-0-1.  Chico State 0-0-1.
 
Next game
Sonoma State at Seattle Pacific
Saturday, Aug. 27  /  3:00 p.m.
Interbay Stadium / Seattle, Wash.