SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team played its final match of 2023 against Western Oregon on Saturday night. The Falcons honored three seniors before kickoff, and Raymundo Mendez added to his team-leading 2023 goal total against the Wolves.
The Falcons honored three seniors before Saturday's match against the Wolves. Matthew Samson, Tyler Speer, and Cam Welty were celebrated by teammates, coaches, friends, and family.
Samson graduates from SPU with a business administration degree. He's posted a 3.33 grade point average and has been a three-time GNAC All-Academic selection.
Speer appeared in 58 matches and made 42 starts for the Falcons. He's played 2,606 minutes with four goals, nine assists and 17 points. Speer graduates from SPU with a degree in biochemistry and touts a 4.0 GPA. Speer has been a GNAC All-Academic selection four times.
Welty appeared in 21 matches and has made 15 starts for the Falcons. He's played 1,452 minutes and has made 43 saves. Welty graduates from SPU with an ecology degree.
"It's dissapointing to not being able to send Matty, Cam, and Speers off with a win," head coach Kevin Sakuda said. "Those three guys have been unbelievable teammates and contributed so much the program."
The Falcons trailed the Wolves early. The visitors scored two goals in the first half. The first came in the 15th minute from Aidan Brouddus. Then in the 29th minute, Yahir Ocampo put the Wolves up 2-0.
The comeback was on for the Falcons over the final 60 minutes of the match. It showed in shots, as the Falcons sent 16 in, to just eight from the Wolves. SPU had five shots on goal and created eight corners. It wouldn't be long into the second half before they'd break through.
Mendez has been fabulous in his first season with the Falcons. Mendez added another goal to his team-leading total in the 50th minute of the match. Cameron Yriondo served the ball in where Mendez was able to finish.
Mendez finishes the year with 12 goals, two assists and 26 points. He entered the day second in the GNAC in both goals and points. Mendez and the Falcons put in a strong effort but ran out of time to complete the comeback.
"We were very good tonight," Sakuda added. "It's frustrating to not get the result we wanted. Despite the scoreline, I was proud of the performance we put in. It's really been the story of our season, but as hard of a season it has been, I know we are going to grow and be stronger for it."
