All big games. There are no pushovers, no creampuffs and certainly no meaningless games remaining for the Seattle Pacific University men’s soccer team as the drive for an NCAA postseason berth enters the final two weeks. The 18th-ranked Falcons (3-1-0, 11-2-2) host defending regional champion Chico State (6-8-4) Wednesday night (Oct. 27) to complete a three-game stand at Interbay Stadium. A positive outcome would make Saturday afternoon’s (Oct. 30) visit to No. 1-ranked and unbeaten Seattle University (4-0-0, 16-0-1) a monstrous affair on Halloween eve. The outcome of the second annual Caffé D'arte Coffee Cup will likely decide the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship, as well as influence which regional teams are invited to the playoffs. The regular season ends at home Nov. 3 against Western Washington.

Six into three. About the only sure thing concerning the playoffs is that at least three accomplished teams won’t earn an invitation. Somehow, six quality sides from the West Region will be squeezed down to three by Nov. 8, when the NCAA announces the Division II bracket. Seattle U. leads the pack, with Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State Bakersfield, UC San Diego, Seattle Pacific and Western Washington all in the mix. The top seed will earn a first-round bye and await the winner of a matchup involving seeds 2 and 3. The Falcons are seeking their first playoff bid since 2000 and their 29th altogether. They were NCAA champions five times from 1978-93.

Home remedy. So far, this three-game home stand is the best of the bunch this season, yet it’s been less than perfect. SPU has not held a halftime lead in its last four home games, and only once in seven Interbay dates. The Falcons battled Simon Fraser, the No. 10 team in NAIA, to a 1-1 draw. Then they scored three second-half goals to down Grand Canyon 3-1. Both losses have come at home. Seattle Pacific takes a 4-2-1 home record into the Chico State match. It is 59-15-3 all-time at Interbay.

Road warriors. Strangely, the one place opponents should avoid playing SPU is on their home field. The Falcons have crashed parties from coast to coast this season, going undefeated (7-0-1) on the road, including victories over two nationally-ranked teams, Florida’s Barry and Nova Southeastern. Just as impressive is the fact that SPU came from behind on three occasions, and that the last four wins have been by decided by one goal. It will be seeking a seventh consecutive road win at Seattle U., which is 7-0-0 at home and winner of nine straight overall, all by shutout. In the 36-year history of the program, Seattle Pacific has never completed a season unbeaten on the road.

Attacks goes into gear. The best news of last week was that the attack came to life following some midseason doldrums. Despite the fact that top scorer Brent Egbert (Sr., Bellingham, Wa./Sehome) was on the bench at the time, SPU erupted for three second-half goals and put three more shots off the post against Grand Canyon. Nick Letts (Jr., Dublin, Ca./Redwood Christian), who missed four games with a knee injury, came off the bench and returned to early-season form by scoring one goal and creating another. In fact, all three goals came from non-starters. Suad Krkic (Jr., Bellevue, Wa./Interlake-Bellevue CC) and James Coggan (Fr., San Jose, Ca./Valley Christian) struck the second and third goals, respectively. Egbert had netted his 12th goal just before halftime to earn the draw with Simon Fraser.

Throw-ins. The three goals against Grand Canyon ended a dry spell in which the offense scored just two goals in three games...Eight of Egbert’s goals and all of his six assists have come on the road...Ross Vaillancourt (Jr., Bedford, NH/Manchester West) was denied a goal when a Canyon defender cleared his shot off the goal line, but did pick-up his fourth assist on Coggan’s goal. Coggan assisted on Egbert’s tally vs. Simon Fraser. Jeff Hallenbeck (Fr., Redmond, Wa./Inglemoor), who had scored in his first start at Western Washington, crossed to Letts for the first goal vs. Grand Canyon...Jeremy Bonner (Jr., Sammamish, Wa./Eastlake) was inserted into the starting 11 vs. GCU. Andy Willis (So., Gig Harbor, Wa./Gig Harbor) missed the SFU game due to injury but was starting again three days later...Egbert remains No. 2 in GNAC total points and No. 3 in goals, assists and game-winning goals (3). Despite playing in only 11 games, Letts is now ninth in points (10) and tied for fifth (4) in assists. James Ward (Sr., Salem, Or./Sprague) is third in GAA (0.98)...SPU has out-scored opponents 16-6 in the first half. In each of its two ties and two losses, Seattle Pacific has allowed the game’s first goal.

Coaching Staff. Cliff McCrath is the Division II leader in career coaching victories (550). In 2002 he surpassed San Francisco’s retired Steve Negoesco to briefly become collegiate soccer’s leader for all divisions. McCrath has led SPU to a record 27 NCAA playoff appearances, including berths in 17 of the last 20 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), Sergio Soriano (‘78 NCAA winners) and Mark Collings (‘98 Final Four).

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.