SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team hosts a Great Northwest Athletic Conference game this Thursday at 4 p.m. when Simon Fraser visits for a holiday matchup.
QUOTABLE
"It's another big one at home against a tough opponent on Thursday," head coach Kevin Sakuda said. "Their record isn't necessarily reflective of the quality of their team or players so we know it's going to be a big challenge. We will have to be disciplined defensively to minimize their opportunities and continue to show courage and confidence with the ball. With the bye on Saturday, it allows us to narrow our focus on having a great performance on Thursday."
LAST TIME OUT
The Falcons played Western Washington and Northwest Nazarene the previous weekend.
The Falcons overcame a 1-0 deficit to the Vikings early in the first half. Pierluca Carnovale played a goal kick to Isaac Ketcham, who launched the ball downfield. Judah Johnston was on the other end of the long pass. Johnston worked down the right side of the field before shooting from 13 yards out. His shot got past the keeper and into the left side of the net. Johnston's third goal of 2024 was a big one, and reset the game 1-1 where it stayed for most of the match. WWU took advantage of a late opportunity to take the match 2-1.
The Falcons were back at home to host the Nighthawks last Saturday. After trailing early, the Falcons found an equalizer in the second half. Raymundo Mendez came through once again for the Falcons, scoring off an assist from JJ Diaz in the 55th minute.
USING ALL HIS TRICKS
Mendez remains at the top of the GNAC leader boards late into the 2024 season. He scored his eighth goal of the season last Saturday and stands alone as the best goal-scorer in the conference going into the weekend. Mendez is tied for 21st in the country in goals per game with .67. Mendez has three assists to his name this season and leads the conference with 19 points. His average of 1.58 points per game is 26th best in the nation.
HANDING OUT TREATS
Connor Tollan has put together a strong 2024 season. He'll enter the weekend as the GNAC leader in assists with six this season. Tollan's tied for fourth in the conference with five goals. All of that adds up to the second most points in the GNAC with 16. Tollan's 1.23 points per game is tied for 62nd in NCAA DII.
THE GNAC STANDINGS
Western Oregon still holds the lead in the GNAC standings with 18 points and a 6-1 record in conference play. Montana State University Billings handed the Wolves their first conference loss last weekend and are tied for second in the standings with Western Washington. Both teams have 13 points and are 4-2-1 in conference play. Northwest Nazarene and the Falcons are tied for fourth with 11 points and own a conference record 3-2-2.
ABOUT SIMON FRASER
The Red Leafs enter the weekend 2-8-2 overall, with a 1-5 GNAC record. They own three points in the GNAC standings and are in sixth. SFU has averaged .83 goals per game while allowing opponents to score 1.83 goals per game. Michael Hennessy leads the team with three goals scored in 2024. Koji Poon is the only other Red Leaf with multiple goals this season with two. The Falcons played the Red Leafs on Oct. 17. SPU took down SFU 2-1 thanks to a pair of goals from Mendez.
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