Tall, tall order. Two of the hottest men's soccer teams in the West will meet Wednesday night (Oct. 23) when resurgent Seattle Pacific University visits 7th-ranked Cal State Bakersfield in a possible sink-or-swim situation for the Falcons. It is the final road game of the season for SPU (9-4-1), which has won five of its last six. The Roadrunners (14-2-0) own an 11-game winning streak and are the frontrunner for one of the region's two NCAA tournament berths. The Falcons begin a four-game home stand Oct. 29 versus Simon Fraser (10-2-0), ranked No. 9 in NAIA.

Score one more. Following a slow start, Seattle Pacific has begun another one of its patented stretch runs which typically result in a playoff appearance. This time around, that's a difficult proposition, to say the least. The Falcons, despite their recent success, began the week rated seventh in a regional coaches poll and only the top two clubs from the Far West will move into the postseason. Beating Bakersfield would obviously improve their standing but the Roadrunners have been running roughshod for the past month, scoring four or more goals seven times during the win streak. Meanwhile, the SPU attack is starting to click, averaging nearly three goals over the past seven games. The 3-2 overtime win over Cal Poly Pomona marked the first time in 16 games that the Falcons have allowed two goals yet emerged as victors.

Forwards, ho! Maybe it's coincidental, maybe not. Since the return of striker David Smith (So., Corvallis, Or./Corvallis), the forwards have scored five of the team's six goals. While Smith was out for six games with a fractured jaw, the forwards scored zilch. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that Smith's return and Grant Falco's (Sr., Veradale, Wa./University) suddenly rediscovered scoring touch has made the Falcons a much more formidable side. Falco ended a personal six-game drought with the opening goal in a 3-0 defeat of Grand Canyon, and he scored twice more at Pomona, including the golden goal 63 seconds into the second overtime. Falco now shares the team lead in goals at seven, along with Jeremy Yerkes (So., Gresham, Or./Gresham-Tacoma CC). Smith, now coming off the bench, notched his sixth goal in eight games at Cal Poly Pomona.

A handful to go. Now with 539 career wins, Coach Cliff McCrath needs just five more to overtake retired San Francisco coach Steve Negoesco (543) as the all-time collegiate leader. Uncle Nubby has guided 33 Falcon teams to 454 wins since 1970. The program has not sustained a losing record in the past 31 years (the next win will extend the streak) and has qualified for postseason play 28 times. Both are Division II records. SPU was the NCAA champion in 1978, '83, '85, '86 and '93. McCrath and Michelle Akers, a Seattle native two-time world champion, will receive the lifetime achievement award from the Friends of Soccer/Washington State Nov. 6 at Seahawks Stadium.

Future is now. McCrath is starting four sophomores and two freshmen during this playoff drive. Yerkes has proved invaluable, contributing four goals and four assists over a six-game span which ended at Pomona. The team's sole California native, Nick Letts (Fr., Dublin, Ca./Redwood Christian), has earned a starting role in midfield. Hours after being named Great Northwest Athletic Conference co-player of the week for his goal and assist vs. Grand Canyon, Letts set-up Falco for the overtime game-winner at Pomona after rounding the defense on the left and dribbling goalward along the endline. Letts has two goals and two assists in the last three games.

Footnotes. The regional coaches poll does not necessarily reflect those of the NCAA selection committee but it does serve as an indicator for the top contenders. Cal State Bakersfield moved ahead of Cal State Dominguez Hills in the coaches poll. Rounding out the rest of the top eight are Sonoma State, UC Davis, Western Washington, Seattle U., SPU and UC San Diego...Yerkes and Falco are tied for third among GNAC goal scorers. Yerkes (19) is second in overall points and tied for the lead (3) in game-winners. Goalie James Ward (So., Salem, Or./Sprague) is No. 2 in both shutouts (4) and goals-against average (1.18)...Falco's goal total is the best since scoring 11 times as a freshman. He had a combined eight goals from 2000-01...In the eight games which both Falco and Smith have played, the two forwards have scored 13 goals...With the win over Grand Canyon, SPU is now 5-0-0 at home and has outscored visitors 15-2...Seattle Pacific is 7-0-1 when scoring first and but 0-3-0 when trailing at halftime...Ward and midfiedler Michael Brkich (So., Vancouver, B.C./Vienna Christian-Chico State) are the only players to have started all 14 games.

Tickets, please. Tickets for all SPU regular season games are priced $7 for reserved, $5 for general admission, with students and senior citizens $3. Group rates are available by phoning (206) 281-2085 in advance.

Coaching Staff. Cliff McCrath is the active leader among all divisions in career coaching victories. He needs nine to surpass San Francisco's retired Steve Negoesco (543) as the all-time leader. McCrath has led SPU to a record 27 NCAA playoff appearances, including berths in 17 of the last 18 years, and five national titles (1978, '83, '85, '86 and '93). He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame and is a past national coach of the year. His staff includes former Falcons Mark Metzger ('78 championship team), Peter Hattrup ('83 and '85 title teams) and Chuck Granade ('93 NCAA winners).

Missing links. For the latest and best information on Seattle Pacific University athletics, stay where you're at -- on The Falcons Online. For updated standings and statistics, see the Great Northwest Athletic Conference web site.