SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team opens its week of play at Western Washington on Thursday at 7 p.m. followed by the Falcon's first meeting with Northwest Nazarene on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Interbay Soccer Stadium.
QUOTABLE
"The table is really tight right now, and that's a reflection of the quality we have in this conference," head coach Kevin Sakuda said. "It's a big week for the team playing against two quality opponents who are right there with us competing for a GNAC title. We know we will have to be disciplined and at our best to get what we want out of these two games. I was proud of the group last week, and now it's about continuing to stack performances."
GNAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The GNAC announced its men's soccer weekly awards on Monday. Seattle Pacific's Raymundo Mendez's clutch performance against Simon Fraser earned him the nod as GNAC Offensive Player of the Week.
Mendez was a difference-maker for the Falcons in Thursday's win over Simon Fraser. He scored both of SPU's goals in its come-from-behind performance against the Red Leafs. Mendez's career total now sits at 20 goals in 28 games with the Falcons.
The Falcons conceded a goal to the Red Leafs in the 15th minute of the match. The comeback was on for SPU. The Falcons answered 15 minutes later.
Judah Johnston was tripped in the box, leading to a Falcons penalty kick. Mendez stepped forward and drilled it to tie the match 1-1.
The Falcons took the lead in the 62nd minute of the match. Johnston and Mendez teamed up again. Johnston fed Mendez the ball on the left side outside of the 18-yard box. Mendez went to work, and after a couple of dribbles, he skimmed one on the turf and into the back of the net from 10 yards out. Like that, the Falcons had taken their first lead of the match 2-1. SPU went on to take the match by that score.
ONE OF THE NATION'S BEST
Mendez is one of the premier players in both the GNAC and the country. He's scored seven goals in 2024 and leads the GNAC in the category. He's averaging .70 points per game, which ranks 22nd in the nation. He's dished out three assists this season as well. Mendez's 17 points leads the GNAC. His 1.70 points per game is tied for 17th best in the country.
SPU ATHLETICS FALCON OF THE WEEK
JJ Diaz was named one of two SPU Athletics Falcons of the Week on Tuesday. Diaz took just two shots last Saturday, but both of them went in as the Falcons rolled to an 8-1 victory against Saint Martin's at Interbay Soccer Stadium. That gave him three goals for the season, and it was the first multiple-goal game of his career.
EVERYBODY CHIPPED IN
Last 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. 24 players saw minutes for SPU, 13 recorded either a goal or an assist in the match, and the Falcons left with one more victory.
Jackson Goode scored his first goal of 2024 against the Saints.
Lukas Shriner joined with his first score of 2024.
Johan Gaytan netted his first career goal with SPU.
Donovahn Allen also found the back of the net for the first time this season.
Brady Fendrich joined Diaz as the only player with multiple goals against the Saints.
THE GNAC STANDINGS
The Falcons enter the weekend tied with Northwest Nazarene in the GNAC standings. Both are 3-1-1 in conference play and own 10 points. Western Oregon sits atop the standings with a spotless 5-0 record and 15 points. The Wolves are ranked 10th in the country in the United Soccer Coaches National Poll. Western Washington and Montana State University Billings are tied for fourth with seven points.
GNAC STATS
The Falcons are tied with Western Oregon for the most goals scored in conference. Both teams have scored 28 times and are averaging 2.545 goals per game. Tollan is tied for third in the conference in goals scored with five and leads the league in assists with six. Tollan's 16 points are second to Mendez who leads the conference with 17 points.
Pierluca Carnovale has shown moments of brilliance throughout 2024. He's tied for a conference-best four shutouts with Andre Schlaefi of Western Oregon.
ABOUT WESTERN WASHINGTON
The Vikings enter the weekend tied for fourth in the GNAC standings. They're 2-2-1 in conference play and have gone 4-4-3 overall. WWU has scored 16 goals this season while allowing opponents 12 goals. Eric Bunnell and Andrew Rotter lead the team with three goals each. The Falcons and Vikings played in Seattle on Oct. 5. The two teams tied 2-2 in the highly competitive match. Mendez and Tollan were standouts for the Falcons, as they assisted on each other's goals.
ABOUT NORTHWEST NAZARENE
The Nighthawks head into the weekend tied with the Falcons for second in the GNAC standings. They're 3-1-1 in conference play and have gone 4-5-2 in 2024. NNU has scored 12 goals this season while conceding 16 goals to opponents. Jonathan Cardona and Caleb Putney lead the Nighthawks with three goals each. Gerardo Fonte has been solid in goal, picking up three shutouts in 2024.
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