SEATTLE – It'll be another weekend in California for the Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team, as the Falcons look forward to a match against Point Loma on Thursday at 4 p.m., followed by a contest against CUI on Saturday at 1 p.m.
QUOTABLE
"The boys are excited for another opportunity to play. We take on quality in-region opponents in Point Loma and Concordia Irvine. We were pleased with our performance last weekend, especially against Sonoma State. The entire team provided energy and did what they needed to do for us to get a result. We are looking to build on the momentum gained from that match and continue to improve early in the season." – Head Coach Kevin Sakuda said.
LAST TIME OUT
SPU opened its season on the road against Chico State and Sonoma State. The Falcons had plenty of early opportunities, creating six shots, four on goal, and had seven corners during the game. The Falcons couldn't break through before falling 2-0.
The Falcons picked up their first victory against the Seawolves last Saturday. Raymundo Mendez and Luis Zazueta each scored their first career goal with the SPU, as the Falcons topped the Seawolves 2-1.
Mendez broke the seal on the scoring early in the contest. Tyler Speer set Mendez up for a quality finish in the 4th minute. Mendez's goal against the Seawolves was the first of his career.
Zazueta's first career goal proved to be the game-winner for the Falcons. It came early in the second half in the 48th minute. Zazueta put pressure on the Seawolves, forcing a turnover and creating a chance for himself. He put the ball in the back of the net and put the Falcons up 2-0.
ABOUT THE SEA LIONS
The Sea Lions entered the 2023 season with plenty of hype, garnering three first-place votes in the PacWest preseason poll. They totaled 103 points and fell shy of the top spot behind Dominican. PLNU features three players on the preseason team dfenders Milo Libby, Milan Diklic, and forward Austin Lavell. Diklic was a First Team All-PacWest pick a season ago, while Libby was a Second Team honoree and Lavell was a Third Team selection.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN EAGLES
The Golden Eagles weren't far behind the Sea Lions in the PacWest preseason poll. They earned a fourth-place spot. More notably, CUI features the Preseason PacWest Player of the Year in Anthony Morales. He's coming off a season in which he won PacWest Freshman of the Year and was a First Team All-PacWest selection. Morales knocked home seven goals in 2022, the sixth-best total in the conference.
