SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team host Western Oregon on Saturday night, where a late push from the Falcons wasn't enough to top the Wolves at Interbay Soccer Stadium.
The Falcons entered Saturday's match knowing it would be a tough test against the Great Northwest Athletic Conference-leading Wolves. The visitors entered the match unbeaten in conference play and left that way.
"It was a tough one tonight," head coach
Kevin Sakuda said. "Despite the scoreline, I felt like we played pretty well for lots of that game. We needed to be better in putting some of our chances away, but credit to Western Oregon. They are a very good team and were great in some key moments. That was the big difference tonight. They punished us for our lapses, and that's what good teams do."
The Wolves jumped out to a lead in the first half. Goals from Ethan Fisher in the 12th minute and Abraham Villabos in the 40thminute gave the visitors a 2-0 lead at halftime. They'd add another goal from Evan Huber in the 77th minute to go up 3-0.
SPU responded with a late surge The frantic Falcons found a way to get one back in the 79th minute. SPU earned a corner kick that was launched into the box. After the ball had bounced around, it landed at the feet of
Connor Tollan. Tollan ripped one from 10 yards out off a deflection that got past the keeper for a goal.
For Tollan, the goal was his fifth in four games. He's put together a strong 2024 season, with five goals, four assists, and 14 points. Tollan has seven goals, 11 assists, and 25 points in three seasons with the Falcons.
The Falcons kept at it in the closing minutes but could not find a way to cut deeper into the Wolves' lead. SPU gained a 22-10 advantage in shots and had an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal.
Raymundo Mendez led the charge with three shots on goal, while
Diego Pena-Salgado,
Joseph Van Horn, and
JJ Diaz each had a shot on frame.
Nick Ramoso and
Lukas Shriner provided nice lifts off the bench for the Falcons in Saturday's match.
The Falcons look forward to a match at Simon Fraser on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. in Burnaby, B.C.
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