BURNABY, B.C. – The Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team traveled north of the border for a match against Simon Fraser on Thursday evening. The Falcons put together a strong second half but couldn't erase an early deficit and fell 2-1 to the Red Leafs.

The Falcons put themselves in a hole early in Thursday's match against the Red Leafs. A penalty kick goal from Devin O'Hea and Michael Hennessy's 11th goal of the season had SPU down 2-0 at the half.  

The Falcons brought an intensity to the pitch in the second half. Defensively, they shut out the Red Leafs and held them to just four shots in the final 45 minutes. Offensively, SPU had six shots, four more than in the first half.

Joseph Van Horn set the tone with a shot that hit the crossbar in the 46th minute. Orlando Erazo followed with shots in the 60th and 63rd minutes. Like Van Horn, Isaac Ketcham hit the crossbar with a shot in the 64th minute. Despite the offensive pressure, the Falcons were still looking for their first goal.

It came too late in the match for the Falcons. Diego Pena-Salgado set up Raymundo Mendez for a goal in the 90th minute. Mendez converted his eighth goal of the season. It was the third match in a row Mendez has scored in. It's the second time Mendez has scored in three consecutive matches this season. Unfortunately for the Falcons, the goal wasn't enough. SPU fell 2-1 to the SFU.

The Falcons return to Interbay Soccer Stadium on Saturday for a match against Western Washington. Kickoff happens at 7 p.m.