Seattle Pacific Falcons update

The Seattle Pacific women’s soccer team continues to battle its way through the Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule both on the road and at home this week. The third-place Falcons (5-2-1, 2-1-1 GNAC) travel to Monmouth, Ore. on Thursday, Sept. 27 for a 3:30 p.m. clash against Western Oregon (3-5-0, 1-3-0). SPU was victorious in the last 18 meetings against the Wolves. On Saturday, Sept. 29, Saint Martin’s (4-4-0, 2-2-0) makes its annual pilgrimage to Seattle. The Falcons won all 10 previous encounters versus SMU. Saturday’s kick-off is 7 p.m. at Interbay Stadium.

Senior forwardMegan Lindsay netted her third goal of the season on Saturday. That was the 32nd goal of her career, giving Lindsay sole possession of third place among all-time SPU scorers. She moved ahead of Jocelyn Charette, who amassed 31 goals from 2007-09. Sarah Martinez (2004-07) is the Falcons’ career leader with 49 goals and Shannon Lovejoy (2002-05) is second with 42. An honorable mention All-American, Lindsay led all GNAC players with 12 goals in 2011.

The Falcons rallied for a 2-1 home victory over Western Washington (Sept. 19), capped by Kaylie Winston’s header with 15 seconds left on the clock. Shayla Page scored the first goal for SPU, which had trailed 1-0. The Falcons tied Central Washington (Sept. 22) 1-1 behind a 31st-minute goal by Megan Lindsay.

The SPU women lost just three times in their last 66 homes games with a 56-3-5 mark since Sept. 30, 2006. They had a 45-game home unbeaten streak snapped on Sept. 30, 2010 with a 1-0 loss to Western Washington. The Falcons posted a 9-2-0 home record last season and were 7-1-1 in 2010, 11-0-1 in 2009, 11-0-2 in 2008 and 15-0 in 2007.

Tickets for SPU soccer games can be purchased on game day at Interbay Stadium (3027 17th Ave. W., Seattle 98119). Ticket windows open one hour prior to kickoff. All seats are general admission and priced at $6 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. SPU students and staff are admitted free. Groups or teams of 10 or more mayqualify for reduced ticket rates by calling (206) 281-2085 in advance.

One of only 14 remaining undefeated NCAA Division II men’s soccer teams, the third-ranked Seattle Pacific Men (6-0-2, 2-0-2 GNAC) plays two road games this week that have significant implications in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings. The second-place Falcons visit Burnaby, B.C. to meet first-place Simon Fraser (7-1-0, 3-1-0) on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The two-time defending champion Clan won a pair of one-goal games against SPU in 2011. The Falconstravel to Bellingham to clash with Western Washington (3-4-1, 1-2-1) on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. SPU swept the season series last year with a pair of one-goal victories. The Falcons are vying for their 32nd NCAA Division II Tournament berth. They advanced to the West Regional championship game last fall.

Seattle Pacific dropped one spot, to No. 3, in this week’s national poll. SPU received its highest men’s soccer ranking in 18 years with a No. 2 listing in the NCAA Division II poll that was released Sept. 10 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). That was the Falcons highest poll position since a No. 1 ranking on Sept. 20, 1994. Current SPU assistant coach Nate Daligcon was a starting midfielder on that top-ranked team. Fifth-year head coach Mark Collings played for the Falcons from 1995-98, but none of the SPU teams he played on climbed as high in the rankings as the current team he is coaching.

The SPU men are outscoring opponents 16-6 with a balanced attack that features 10 players who scored at least one goal. The Falcons outshot foes 129-76, including a 56-21 advantage in shots directly on goal … Senior goalkeeper Zach Johnson compiled a 0.71 goals against average and blanked three opponents, upping his career total to 18 shutouts.

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