The Seattle Pacific University soccer teams competed in four games in Idaho and Washington. While the women’s soccer team maintained their series of wins, the men’s soccer team ended their nine-game streak with 42 fouls.
Men’s Soccer:
Seattle Pacific men’s soccer was challenged by Simon Fraser University on Thursday, Oct. 9, at Interbay Soccer Stadium. Within the first 10 minutes, Simon Fraser scored. Junior Rafael Lucio attempted to score at 19 minutes, but failed. The game paused at 0-1 with Simon Fraser leading at half-time.
Over the course of the second half Lucio made eight shots, tying the SPU record for most shots made in a half, which was originally set in 1983. At 58 minutes graduate Brian Lainer made an important save for the Falcons and kept the score 0-1. At 71 minutes, freshman JP Guzman earned a penalty. Lucio stepped up and scored the penalty kick, his 3rd goal of the season, to tie the match 1-1.
On Saturday, Oct. 11, the Falcons hosted Western Washington University for their seventh consecutive home match at Interbay Stadium. The Falcons came out strong with 5 shots in the first 20 minutes. At 25 minutes, Lucio had a close shot on goal, but it was saved by the WWU keeper.
The Vikings gained the lead over the Falcons in minute 50, which brought the score to 0-1 in favor of WWU. In the final minute, junior Diego Pena-Salgado attempted a shot on goal for the Falcons, but it ricocheted off the post.
In this close matchup, 42 total fouls were called. A red card was issued in minute 82 to senior Orlando Erazo, forcing the Falcons to lose a player for the rest of the match. The final score was a 0-1 loss for the Falcons.
The Falcons will travel to Western Oregon University for their next match on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 12 p.m.
Women’s Soccer:
Seattle Pacific women’s soccer took on Northwest Nazarene University on Thursday, Oct. 9 in Nampa, Idaho. The Falcons attempted four shots in the first 20 minutes of the match, but were unsuccessful. Junior Nora Patterson set up junior Ashlyn Valdovinos with a low-line drive, allowing Valdovinos to score, putting the Falcons up 1-0 for the rest of the half.
Coming back from halftime, senior Maya Parman attempted a shot, which was saved by NNU’s keeper. In the 87th minute, Northwest Nazarene scored on SPU, tying the score 1-1. Parman shot one last time in minute 90 but it was Blocked, sealing the game at a 1-1 draw.
Central Washington University welcomed the SPU women’s soccer team on Saturday, Oct. 11, in Ellensburg, WA. In the first ten minutes of the game, senior Kayla Wallace attempted three shots, which failed. In the 33rd minute, Vadovinos attempted a shot against CWU, but her attempt was saved as well. The first half ended in a 0-0 tie.
In the second half, senior goalie Mercedes Cullen switched out with junior goalie Landry Schoennaur, who saved four balls during the second half. On the other side of the pitch, Wallace finally broke through the Central Washington’s defense and put the Falcons up 1-0 in minute 85, her second goal of the season. The game ended in a 1-0 win over CWU.
The Falcons will return to Interbay Soccer Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 16, to play Western Oregon University at 5 p.m. in an official GNAC match.
