It’s been awhile. Not since 1997 has a Seattle Pacific University men’s soccer season started at home, and not since 2000 have the Falcons finished in the NCAA tournament. By rectifying one trend, Coach Cliff McCrath hopes to solve the other as his squad embarks upon the 2004 campaign. Seattle Pacific brings back nine starters from a team which recovered from a dismal start to finish 9-8-2 for a 33rd straight winning record. Regular season play begins Saturday night (Aug. 28) as regional powerhouse and 9th-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills invades Interbay Stadium. Cal Poly Pomona visits Monday afternoon (Aug. 30), before SPU hits the road.

From back in the pack. By beginning with two games at Interbay, Seattle Pacific plans to avert the sluggish starts of the last four years, including an 0-4 opening in 2003. McCrath, who emphasized the renewal of tradition the past few years, has eschewed talk of the five NCAA title-winning teams. Instead he plans to teach the game and emphasize current events, such as last year when regional rival Chico State reversed at 2-17 season in ’02 to play for the Division II championship. Given that six of last year’s losses were by one goal, he believes SPU is ready to ascend back to the top.

Fast start sought. For the Falcons to stay in contention, they must start strong. That hasn’t been the case the past few seasons, including a 2-6 record to begin 2000, 1-3 in ‘01 and 0-4 last season. Much of the damage was inflicted on the road, where the team will spend most of the first month. Despite the first pair of home games to begin a season since 1994 (there was a single home opener in ‘97 in christen Interbay), airline and hotel staff will see more of the Falcons than local fans in September. A seven-game, three-week road trip to California and later Florida begins Sept. 4. GNAC play starts Sept. 14 at Humboldt State. Seven of the final nine games are at home.

All-GNAC performer Ross Vaillancourt will be one of the midfield anchors as the Falcons men try to get a strong start right out of the blocks.

Foundation is in the middle. Much of the lineup returns intact, yet there will be a battle for starting jobs. All-conference picks Ross Vaillancourt (Jr., Bedford, NH) and Michael Morris (So., Bothell, Wa./Blanchet) anchor the midfield along with Michael Brkich (Sr., Vancouver, B.C./Vienna Christian). Out wide, Brent Egbert (Sr., Bellingham, Wa./Sehome), who missed all of last season with a knee injury, is intent to regain his all-region form of ‘02. Also contending for spots are newcomer Matt Kemper (Fr., Colorado Springs, Co./Palmer) and Sean Sandin (Jr., Renton, Wa./Kentridge), who is back from an ankle injury which sidelined him for 15 games after starting the first four. Jeremy Bonner (Jr., Sammamish, Wa./Eastlake) has also played on the wing.

Get offensive. An improved attack will count on both the return to form of some veterans and the infusion of creativity by a few recruits. The 29 goals last year was the fewest generated since 1970, and nine of those goals were lost when top scorer Jeremy Yerkes didn’t return. Instead, the spearhead for the front line will be Andy Willis (So., Gig Harbor, Wa./Gig Harbor), the Great Northwest Athletic Conference freshman of the year who scored five goals. The powerful Willis will either be partnered by a veteran–Nick Letts (Jr., Dublin, Ca./Redwood Christian) or David Smith (Sr., Corvallis, Or./Corvallis)–or a newcomer–Jeff Hallenbeck (Fr., Redmond, Wa./Inglemoor) or James Coggan (Fr., San Jose, Ca./Valley Christian). Hallenbeck was the state 4A co-player of the year last spring. Letts and Smith hope to regain their ‘02 form when they combined for 11 goals and 10 assists.

Already defensive. Defensively, the Falcons must address the loss of all-region sweeper Matt Laughlin to graduation. Two-time all-conference goalkeeper James Ward (Sr., Salem, Or./Sprague) is a good start. Ward allowed only 1.16 goals per game and had five shutouts to pace the GNAC. The returning outside backs are Kye Taylor (Jr., Powell River, B.C.) and David Selby (Sr., Aloha, Or.). Aside from shuffling personnel from up front, the best option to fill the fourth spot is rookie Drew Macha (Fr., Eugene, Or./Marist).

Alterations on staff. McCrath brought back a familiar face to round-out his coaching staff. Sergio Soriano, the starting keeper on the ‘78 NCAA championship squad and a past assistant coach, will train the goalies. He fulfilled a similar role from 1983-84 before moving to Miami and coaching at Barry, where he later was an aide to McCrath’s son, Steve McCrath. Soriano replaces Chuck Granade, who remains as assistant for the A-League Seattle Sounders. Back for his second season on the staff is Mark Collings while Mark Metzger is back for his fifth.

Tickets, Please. Ticket prices for all SPU regular season home games are $7 for reserved and $5 for general admission, with students and senior citizens receiving G.A. tickets for $3. Group and team rates are available by phoning (206) 281-2085 in advance.

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.