SEATTLE – Kasey Toevs scored early in the second half and
Brady Fendrich followed with the game-winner less than 10 minutes later to power Seattle Pacific to a 2-1 non-conference men's soccer victory over Dallas Baptist, Wednesday at Interbay Stadium.
The Falcons (4-1-2) stretched their unbeaten streak to six games with their third consecutive win. DBU (3-2-1) had its four-game unbeaten streak halted.
FROM COACH KEVIN SAKUDA
"It was another really good performance from the guys tonight. We had some chances early that we missed, but we stuck with it and were able to get those two in the second half. I'm really happy for Brady to get the game-winner. He stepped up today and took his opportunity.
"Dallas Baptist made it difficult late in that game and was really pushing, so I was really pleased to be able to close that out and get three points."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Christopher Soto attempted the game's first shot 7-minutes, 54-seconds after kickoff. His shot to the center was deflected by goalkeeper Jackson Bankers, who was able to redirect that ball that then trickled past the right post.
- Just 56 seconds later the Falcons got another shot, this one a 25-yard drive by Isaac Ketcham that sailed wide right.
- The opening shot by DBU came at 17:09 off the foot of Erik Oliveira. His try was saved by Brian Lanier, who dove to parry the ball safely past the right post.
- In the 25th minute, SPU's Lucas Witthauer sprinted with the ball down the left flank before angling into the box. He attempted to slide a low shot past the goalkeeper who managed a save with his outstretched foot.
- Bankers made six saves for the visiting Patriots and none of them were routine. He had four saves during the first half as the Falcons put all, but one, of their shots on frame.
- SPU opened the scoring off a short-corner play from the left side just over three minutes after halftime. Cristian Chel Lara initiated the corner kick with a pass that was immediately returned to him. Chel Lara took a couple dribbles before serving a cross into the goalmouth. Freshman Kasey Toevs rose to head the ball under the crossbar for his inaugural collegiate goal.
- Brady Fendrich's hustle was rewarded with his first goal of the season, at 57:32, that proved to be the deciding tally. JJ Diaz broke loose toward the box before a defender managed to tap the ball away. Fendrich had been racing full-speed from the midfield when the ball rolled into his path. Fendrich sprinted free into the box and sent a 15-yard liner inside the right post.
- DBU cut its deficit to just one goal on a header by Erik Oliveira at 68:50. A left-side corner kick was headed toward goal by a teammate and Oliveira redirected it into the back of the net.
- The Falcons held on for the win while facing four DBU attempts to draw level during the final 13 minutes. Two of those shots were blocked and one saved by Lanier.
FROM THE BOX SCORE
- A trio of Falcons, Lucas Witthauer, JJ Diaz and Brady Fendrich, tied for team-high honors with two shots and all of those were sent directly on goal.
- In total, seven SPU players were credited with at least one of the team's 10 shots.
- The Patriots posted a 17-10 shot advantage, including doubling the Falcons, 10-5, in the second half.
- Brian Lanier played all 90 minutes in goal for the Falcons and was credited with five saves.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- DBU's final attempt at an equalizer, in the 87th minute, came off the foot of former Falcon Luis Zazueta. It was saved by Lanier.
- Eight different players have accounted for the Falcons 10 goals this season. Toevs and Fendrich joined a group of seven players with one goal while Chel Lara tops the team with three scores.
UP NEXT
SPU remains at home to host St. Edwards in a 5:00 p.m. clash on Friday at Interbay Stadium.
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