The Falcons Online -- Seattle Pacific University Athletics

Second-Ranked Redhawks Hold Off Falcons in National Soccer Showdown
October 8, 2004

SEATTLE (Oct. 8) -- It was more than just the 59th meeting in this storied cross-city rivalry between Seattle Pacific and Seattle University; it was a national showdown between powerhouse programs. However, the visiting Redhawks got a goal late in each half to move into sole possession of first place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, fending off the Falcons 2-0 in front of a near-capacity crowd of 900 fans at Interbay Stadium on Friday night.

Seattle U., ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division II, improved to 3-0 in league play and 13-0-1 overall. Seattle Pacific, ranked No. 11 nationally, fell to 2-1 in the GNAC and 9-2-1 overall.

After the teams battled back and forth throughout much of the first half, the Redhawks broke through in the 34th minute. Bobby McAllister tied SU's single season scoring record with his 17th goal of the year to put the visiting side up 1-0. Seattle University was awarded a free kick just outside of the penalty area, and McAllister snuck in a quick shot to the far post as the SPU defense will still attempting to set up a wall.

That came just seven minutes after SPU defender David Smith (Sr., Corvallis, Or.) nearly gave the Falcons the first goal of the game. making his way forward out of the back, Smith scorched a low shot from eight yards out, but a Redhawk defender poked it out of harms way.

The Falcons applied heavy pressure in the second half, and had the better of the opportunities throughout the first 15 minutes, but did not have a goal to show for. Seattle Pacific was forced to bring more players forward as time began to wind down and SU took advantage. In the 80th minute, Pat Doran played a through ball to Alex Chursky who beat SPU keeper James Ward (Sr., Salem, Or./Sprague) from 10 yards out for his sixth goal of the year to put the Redhawks on top 2-0.

The Falcons continued to attack with a flurry of shots over the next coupl of minutes, but managed nothing on target. Smith again nearly gave SPU some life in the 85th minute, but his effort to bring the Falcons back to within one deflected off the post and was cleared away by a Seattle U. defender.

Ward made four saves for the Falcons, two of them coming in the final minutes as Seattle University created a pair of open looks. SU keeper Jeremiah Doyle was credited with two saves. The Redhawks had a slight edge in shots, 15-11. The Falcons held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks. The teams were whistled for a combined 37 fouls, 24 of them by Seattle University.

The Falcons have a week off before traveling to Bellingham to take on Western Washington in GNAC action next Saturday (Oct. 16) at Civic Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm

Seattle University.. 1 1 - 2 
Seattle Pacific..... 0 0 - 0

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 33:13 SU McAlister,Bobby (17) (unassisted) - free kick 20 yards out
2. 79:02 SU Chursky,Alex (6) (Doran,Pat) - through ball for one-on-one, finished 10

Shots: Seattle University 15, Seattle Pacific 11

Saves: Seattle University 3 (Doyle,Jeremiah 2; TEAM 1), Seattle Pacific 4 (Ward,James 4)