SPU Men Get Another Last-Minute Soccer Win to Finish 25-Day Trip
September 24, 2004

FORT LAUDERDALE (Sept. 24) ­Brent Egbert connected on a penalty kick with 51 seconds left in regulation as 18th-ranked Seattle Pacific University completed its 25-day, seven game road trip with its fifth straight victory, 4-3 over Nova Southeastern in a men's non-conference soccer game Friday night.

Egbert (Sr., Bellingham, Wa./Sehome) scored his seventh and eighth goals of the road trip and the Falcons (7-1-1) held on after squandering a two-goal halftime lead. SPU also got goals from Tyler Falco (Sr., Veradale, Wa./University) and Andy Willis (So., Gig Harbor, Wa.) in running its unbeaten string to eight games.

The game's deciding goal was set-up by Willis, who was tackled from behind after beating two defenders in the box. Egbert stroked his spot kick into the left corner.

Each of the Falcons' last two wins have come in the final minute. Tuesday's 3-2 win at No. 15 Barry was in sudden-death overtime. They are off to their best start since opening 8-1-0 in 1993, when they won their fifth and most recent NCAA Division II championship.

Falco ignited a run of three goals in 13 minutes, tying the score at 1-1 at 16:22. Less than two minutes later, Willis stripped a defender and converted. Egbert fired a 28-yard free kick into the upper left corner for a 3-1 advantage at 29:05.

Nova Southeastern (5-2-0), which had been ranked as high as No. 9 nationally earlier this month, took advantage of a tiring SPU to knot the score in the second half, getting the equalizer in the 79th minute.

Seattle Pacific was playing without two regular starters: forward Nick Letts, who is recovering from a knee injury; and midfielder Michael Morris, who received a one-game suspension for a red card.

The Falcons face Montana State Billings at home Tuesday night at 7.

Scoring -- 1, NSE, Cronin (Clancy) 12:50; 2, SPU, Falco (Egbert) 16:22; 3, SPU, Willis (unassisted) 18:21; 4, SPU, Egbert (unassisted) 29:05; 5, NSE, Ludden (Clancy) 49:17; 6m, NSE, Jespersen (Futch) 78:29; 7, SPU, Egbert (penalty kick) 89:09.

Shots -- SPU 17, NSE 21.

Saves -- SPU (Ward) 7, NSE (Deering) 4.

Corner kicks -- SPU 0, NSE 4.

Fouls -- SPU 10, NSE 19.

Offside -- SPU 1, NSE 0.

Cautions -- Naples, NSE, 31:54; Willis, SPU, 69:19; Perry, NSE, 89:08; Naples, NSE, 89:09.

Ejections -- Naples, NSE, 89:09.