SEATTLE – Saturday belonged to the Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team, as 13 players recorded a goal or an assist for the Falcons in their 8-1 victory over Saint Martin's at Interbay Soccer Stadium.
The Falcons and Saints met for a rematch of their meeting on Oct. 3 from earlier this season. In that match, the Falcons picked up a 6-1 victory over the Saints. Saturday's match proved similar, as the Falcons downed the Saints once more. 24 players saw minutes for SPU, 13 recorded either a goal or an assist in the match, and the Falcons left Interbay Soccer Stadium with one more victory.
"It was a complete performance from the team today," head coach Kevin Sakuda said. "Several guys contributed to the win, and that's a reflection of the depth of this team. We started the game well and then the guys that came in continued to raise the level. I know how hard these guys work every day and each of them plays an important role in our success. It was great to see those guys come in and make such a big impact on the game."
Jackson Goode opened the scoring with a free kick from Connor Tollan. Goode finished with the left foot to put the Falcons up 1-0. The goal was Goode's first of 2024.
Lukas Shriner scored his first goal of the season in the 25th minute. Diego Pena-Salgado played a ball to Tollan, who flipped it over the back line of the Saint's defense. Shriner got to it as it bounced and volleyed it over the keeper for the goal.
JJ Diaz was the only player with multiple goals in Saturday's match. He scored in the 24th and 27th minute. In the 24th minute, Christopher Soto poked the ball away from the Saints before sending it forward to Judah Johnston. Johnston got it to Diaz, who finished off-balance from the top of the 18-yard box. Diaz's second goal was unassisted and put the Falcons up 4-0, where the score sat until halftime.
The Falcons picked up their scoring in the 49th minute. Brady Fendrich found the back of the net for the second time this season, thanks to assists from Johan Gaytan and Alexander Magana. Fendrich added another goal in the 59th minute of the match. Owen Swartout picked up his first career assist for SPU on the play.
Gaytan was one of four Falcons to record their first goal of the season in Saturday's match. His goal came in the 57th minute. Alexander Hristov earned an assist on Gaytan's first career goal.
Swartout continued helping his teammates. Donovahn Allen capped the scoring with his first goal of 2024. SPU had a corner kick sent in by Swartout. Allen got a head to it on the backside and moved the score to 8-1.
Pierluca Carnovale and Chase Nelson split time in goal for the Falcons. Carnovale made one save, while Nelson recorded three saves. Nelson set a new season-high in saves on Saturday.
The Falcons travel to Bellingham, Wash. on Oct. 24 for a match against Western Washington on Harrington Field at 7 p.m.
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