SEATTLE – Judah Johnston scored his second goal in as many games for the Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team on Saturday, but two goals in 20 seconds from #18 Chico State stunned the Falcons as they stumbled 2-1.
The Falcons opened the game by controlling the ball in the first half. They'd break a scoreless tie in the 18th minute of the match.
Connor Tollan sent the only corner of the first half into the box for the Falcons.
Judah Johnston emerged in the box to get his head to it and scored from six yards out. The goal was Johnston's second goal in as many games. His career total now sits at six goals.
"Judah has played great," head coach
Kevin Sakuda said. "He's been around our program for a long time and has a ton of experience. It's great to see him step up in big moments. He got free on a set piece and finished with a good header. Those types of performances are what you want from those guys."
The Wildcats made an effort to control the game in the second half. A more possessive style of play led to nine shots to just four from SPU in the final 45 minutes.
In the 76th minute, the Wildcats broke through to tie the match. A quick throw-in landed at the feet of Vasilios Syrengelas, who passed the ball to Miles Rice. Rice settled and shot from six yards out, scoring his first goal of the season. The score was tied at 1-1.
Moments later, Chico's Justin Ricketts sent a long ball downfield to Rice. He made the most of a one-on-one opportunity and finished with the right foot from the 18-yard box for the second time in the game. Suddenly and abruptly, the Wildcats had taken a 2-1 lead from the Falcons.
"It's a tough one because I felt like we had a ton of control in the game in the first half," Sakuda said. "I would have liked to see us be sharper in the attacking third when we got in those areas. We conceded two goals quickly but settled back into gaining control, and had chances late. There were a couple of moments we needed to make plays, and we didn't do that. They were able to make those plays. They're a good group with a ton of belief. Credit to them, they got rewarded for it."
Pierluca Carnovale was in goal for the Falcons. He faced 14 shots, six of which were on goal. Carnovale made four saves on Saturday.
Joseph Van Horn provided a nice spark off the bench for the Falcons. The fifth-year senior from North Pole, AK sent two of SPU's five shots on the day.
The Falcons return to Interbay Soccer Stadium on Sept. 12 for a 7:00 p.m. match against Dominguez Hills.
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