SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team honored six graduating seniors before Saturday night's match against Montana State University Billings where seniors shined in the Falcons' 3-1 victory over the Yellowjackets.
Evan Aune,
Donovahn Allen,
Joseph Van Horn,
Raymundo Mendez,
Judah Johnston, and
Pierluca Carnovale were honored before Saturday's match. Coaches, teammates, family, and friends honor the group with kind words and gifts. They proved to be vital in their final match at Interbay Soccer Stadium.
"I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate and honor this group of seniors than to send them off with a win," head coach
Kevin Sakuda said. "These six guys have meant everything to this program. They have been leaders on the field. They have excelled in the classroom, and they have been an incredible example of what being a great teammate looks like. I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to be their coach. They have raised the standards and are leaving this program in a better place."
A special moment took place at the start of the match. Aune has missed time due to injury in 2024. Tonight, he made the start before getting subbed out for
Connor Tollan. Aune walked off the field for the final time to the roar of fans applauding him for his wonderful career with the Falcons.
The match featured a very fitting performance from Mendez. He put the Falcons on the board in the 27th minute.
Isaac Ketcham passed Mendez the ball before he shot from 17 yards out. It was a dribbler, but it got into the lower left corner for a goal. Like he has so many times, Mendez had given the Falcons the lead.
Mendez scored his 26th career goal for SPU in his final match with the Falcons. He's scored 13 goals in each of his seasons in Seattle.
While the day belonged to the seniors, a first-year Falcon came up big in the 58th minute. Judah Johnson made a nice play near the end line to service the ball into the box. It bounced away from Mendez and the MSUB defense and ended up at the feet of
Lukas Shriner. Shriner ripped a low bouncer into the right corner of the net to put the Falcons up 2-0.
SPU led 2-1 in the 82
nd minute when they added to their lead. Another first-year provided the point. The Falcons took a corner kick that ended up in the box and at the feet of
Carter Gay. He smashed it into the goal to put the Falcons up 3-1. It was his fourth goal of 2024.
The Falcons close out 2024 8-6-4 record. SPU placed 12 members on the Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. More awards will be announced soon.
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