SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team honored its program's history on Saturday afternoon, as the team hosted RV Colorado School of Mines. Diego Pena-Salgado scored his first collegiate goal in the first half, but a late goal from the Orediggers made the Falcons settle for a draw.
Before Saturday's match, Alumni gathered to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the SPU men's soccer program. Three national championship anniversaries (1978, 1983, 1993) were also honored. The event culminated at halftime when the 1993 national championship team was presented with championship rings.
"It was great," head coach Kevin Sakuda said. "We talk to our guys about how they are playing in a program that has a lot of history and success. We all understand the privilege it is to be a part of that. To get everyone back to Interbay to celebrate the program was a lot of fun."
The Falcons played well with several fans and supporters in attendance. SPU did well in possessing the ball throughout the first half. It culminated in just five shots in the first 45 minutes. The quality of the looks became apparent in the 36th minute.
Pena-Salgado scored his first collegiate goal against Mines on Saturday. Fellow newcomer Christopher Soto skipped a low cross in front of the goal. Pena-Salgado slotted by the near post with the left foot. Just like that, the Falcons led 1-0.
"Diego's goal was everything we want from our guys," Sakuda said. "We solved pressure, got in behind, and made a play. We've been talking about guys arriving in the box and Diego did that today. It was his first college goal and that's always exciting."
The Falcons were closing in on securing the victory. In the 76th minute, SPU turned the ball over in front of their own goal. The Oredigger's Marc Zimmerman settled the ball before finding the back of the net, tying the match up 1-1.
"With how we play, there is some chance for mistakes while we build out," Sakuda said. "We don't want the guys to shy away from how we play. We want them to play with courage. We still believe in how we play and think there is a reward on the other end of it."
Both teams scrambled to score the game-winning goal in the final 10 minutes, but it never came.
Mitchell Wilson earned his second career start He made three saves for the Falcons.
The Falcons are off next week before entering Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on Sept. 28. SPU travels to Northwest Nazarene for a match at 3 p.m. PST.
