SEATTLE (Sept. 27) - Michael Brkich scored early and the Seattle Pacific University defense held strong the rest of the way as the Falcons defeated Sonoma State 1-0 for their third straight win in a non-conference men's soccer game before a capacity crowd Saturday night at Interbay Stadium.

James Ward (Jr., Salem, Or.) made a season-high eight saves-seven in the second half-as SPU extended its unbeaten run to five games and leveled its season record (4-4-1) after an 0-4 start. Ward now has four shutouts during the unbeaten skein. The victory pushed Coach Cliff McCrath career total to 545 games, making him No. 2 on the all-time list. He moved past retired San Francisco coach Steve Negoesco.

The loss was the third in a row for Sonoma State, the defending NCAA Division II champion.

The Falcons broke through early, scoring in the fifth minute. Manfredo Rendon (Jr., Bellingham, Wa./Sehome), making his first start, swung in a deep right wing cross. Brkich (Jr, Vancouver, BC) flicked the ball past a defender and slotted his 14-yard shot low into the right corner.

Despite the low score, both teams were aggressive on the attack. The Seawolves (5-5-0) finished with a 17-12 advantage in shots and 5-3 in corner kicks.

The game's second-best scoring chance came from the Falcons's Andy Willis, who drove a 15-yard shot off the right post in the 63rd minute.

Sonoma's best opportunities came in the final half-hour. Brian Coyne forced Ward to shove a drive over the crossbar and Brandon Boone's 9-yard strike with 11 minutes to go required Ward to dive to his right.

SPU is idle until Oct. 6 when it resumes Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at Western Washington.

Scoring-
1, SPU, Brkich (Rendon, Selby) 4:58.

Shots-SSU 17, SPU 12.

Saves-SSU (Bernard) 3, SPU (Ward) 8.

Corner kicks-SSU 5, SPU 3.

Fouls-SSU 19, SPU 12.

Cautions-Schefter, SPU, 3:51; Ower, SSU, 24:46; Coyne, SSU, 28:06; Smith, SPU, 42:16; Edwards, SSU, 53:36; Daly, SSU, 79:51.

A-969.