SEATTLE (Nov. 5) -- For the first time in 12 years Seattle Pacific University has been bypassed for an NCAA Division II men's soccer playoff berth. The Falcons, despite a 10-8-1 record, remained under consideration but the tournament committee gave the nod to Cal State Bakersfield for the second and final berth in the Far West Region.

The Roadrunners (12-8-0) will face top seed and defending NCAA champion Cal State Dominguez Hills in the first round Saturday in Carson, Ca.

Bakersfield and Dominguez Hills (17-2-1) were the only regional contenders to have beaten SPU this season.

"Looking at it objectively, it makes sense," said Seattle Pacific coach Cliff McCrath, whose teams have qualified for the postseason a Div. II record 27 times since 1971. "Both of those teams beat us and they split their two games head-to-head."

What frustrated McCrath is that the Falcons controlled their own destiny entering the final week but lost twice at home. That opened the door for Cal State Bakersfield, which did not qualify for its own conference tournament.

SPU was 0-3 versus teams which were included in the 16-team Div. II bracket announced Monday. Unbeaten and No. 2 ranked Lewis (Il.) and No. 5 Cal State Dominguez Hills each edged the Falcons 2-1 in overtime. Bakersfield, after a slow start, defeated them 2-0 in Seattle.