SEATTLE - The Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team played a meaningful Great Northwest Athletic Conference match against Northwest Nazarene on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons tied the match in the second half and had a chance to win it late but settled for a 1-1 draw with the Nighthawks.
The Falcons and Nighthawks entered Saturday's match tied for second in the GNAC standings with 10 points. Saturday was the first time the two teams have played each other this season. SPU earned an equalizer in the second half of the match, but the two teams left Interbay Soccer Stadium as they had entered. Tied.
"The guys were disappointed to be down 1-0 in the first half and they showed a great response to get the goal back," head coach Kevin Sakuda said. "We had some good moments in the second half and couldn't find the second one."
The Nighthawks were content to pack in defensively, giving the Falcons little space for scoring opportunities. Still, the Falcons managed four shots in the first half.
NNU made the most of their limited first-half shot attempts in the 30th minute. The ball was crossed in before landing at the feet of Roaul Barragan, as the unmarked Nighthawk turned and lifted a shot over Pieruca Carnovale and into the top of the net. The goal gave the visitors a 1-0 lead they carried into halftime.
The Falcons worked to get themselves back into the match. As he often does, Raymundo Mendez came through for SPU.
In the 55th minute, JJ Diaz created an opportunity for the team's leading goal scorer. Mendez finished with the right foot to tie the game at 1-1. The goal was the 8th of the season for Mendez.
The Falcons had one final chance to win it in the 88th minute. Judah Johnston had a great look and fired a shot that was deflected by the NNU keeper. The ball sat in the box for a moment before the Nighthawks fell on top of it.
The Falcons are back at home on Oct. 31 when they host Simon Fraser at 5 p.m. at Interbay Soccer Stadium.
SPU SOCIAL
Seattle's only NCAA Division II Scholarship Program | #GoFalcons
