SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team opened 2024 with a positive result against Sonoma State on Thursday, as goals from
Raymundo Mendez and
Judah Johnston were combined with a clean sheet from
Pierluca Carnovale to give the Falcons a 2-0 win.
The first half featured quality play from both the Falcons and Seawolves. The visitors claimed an early advantage in shots (13-8) and corner kicks (5-3). Carnovale made a massive save in the 40th minute of the match to keep the score level. Sonoma State's Brian Chang ripped a shot toward the lower left corner that Carnovale poked away with his foot. The save sent the game into halftime 0-0.
SPU adjusted well after halftime. They outshot the Seawolves 7-2 in the second half and controlled the match defensively.
"We talked at halftime about settling the game down," head coach
Kevin Sakuda said. "The first half was a bit back-and-forth, then we were able to gain a little bit more control. We were pressing the ball and winning the ball in good spaces. Overall, it was a great team effort. Guys who came off the bench played well, guys that played 90 made an impact. What I'm most proud of, was coming away with a clean sheet."
The Falcons got on the board in the 74th minute.
Connor Tollan sent a corner kick from the right side into the box. The low line found Mendez, whose diving header from four yards out found the back of the net. Like that, the 2023 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year had scored his first goal of 2024 and gave his team a 1-0 lead.
In the 86th minute, Mendez created another opportunity for the Falcons. It was a one-on-one battle between Mendez and his defender. The Seawolves Cypress Nacarro-Acio pulled Mendez down in the box, leading to a penalty kick for the Falcons. Johnston stepped forward to take, and make the kick for SPU. Johnston's fifth goal as a Falcon gave SPU a 2-0 lead.
Carnovale wrapped a clean sheet in his SPU debut at the end of 90 minutes. He received excellent support from
Evan Aune and
Isaac Ketcham, who played a full 90 minutes in front of him. The graduate transfer from Willamette University faced 15 shots and made three saves, all of which came in the first half.
"Pier was great," Sakuda said. "He made that big save in the first half, and that's what you hope for from your goalkeeper in moments like that. He's played a lot of college games. Having experience there is fantastic. That relationship between him, Isaac [Ketcham], and Evan [Aune] will continue to grow. We're pretty happy with where we're starting the season."
Another test awaits the Falcons on Saturday when SPU hosts #18 Chico State at Interbay Soccer Stadium at 1 p.m.
"It's going to be a tough game," Sakuda added. "Every year we've played, the games have been super competitive. It will be a different team than Sonoma but is a massive challenge for us. We're also looking forward to seeing our Alumni in the stadium and having them cheering on this current group."
SPU SOCIAL
Seattle's only NCAA Division II Scholarship Program | #GoFalcons
