Rocky Mountain high. In the midst of the busiest stretch of the season, the 10th-ranked Seattle Pacific University men’s soccer team will ascend into the Rocky Mountains for their next two games. The Falcons (5-1-1), off to a strong start, conclude their two-week, five-game road trip in Denver, beginning with Wednesday’s (Sept. 14) match at Regis (0-2-0). Saturday afternoon (Sept. 17) they visit Metro State (3-1-0) before heading home to play their fifth game in 10 days Sept. 20 against Grand Canyon.

High and deep. Fitness and depth will be key factors during a fortnight in which Seattle Pacific plays six times in four cities over a span of 14 days. So far, Coach Cliff McCrath has used 14 field players in at least six games, but that number will likely swell as the Falcons cope with travel fatigue and the high altitude in Colorado. The upside to this situation is that winning teams often benefit from constant activity, and McCrath has discovered that there’s sufficient talent sitting beside him. He promoted four players to the starting lineup at Cal State Bakersfield and the outcome was a convincing 2-0 victory over a regional rival.

Been up there, done that. Their lungs have since acclimated to sea level, yet three members of the SPU squad are undoubtedly aware of the physical and psychological advantage of playing at home team in the Mile High City. Goalkeeper Kellen Rosten (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Doherty) and midfielder Matt Kemper (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Palmer) were raised in the region’s thin air. Forward Colin Rigby (Jr., Mercer Island, Wa./MI-Denver U.) played two years at Denver University, and last season the Pioneers were 10-1-0 at home, compared to 2-4-1 away.

A goal per game. A goal per game is an awful lot to ask of a player, but it’s exactly what Andy Willis (Jr., Gig Harbor, Wa.) has delivered in the first seven games. Willis netted his second deuce of the season at Bakersfield, bagging both goals within a 12-minute span of the first half. He leads the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in points (15), goals (7) and game-winning goals (4), and he has put away 41 percent of his 17 shots. The latter figure is a huge improvement over the last couple seasons, when Willis needed 62 shots to get 10 goals.

Get a chance, take it. Just as Willis has made the most of his scoring opportunities, a handful of players took advantage of McCrath awarding them starting assignments following a 2-1 loss at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Greg Truax (Sr., Corvallis, Or./Corvallis), getting his first start in two years, plugged the middle of the defense, along with Kye Taylor (Sr., Powell River, BC/Cameron). Two freshman also got the call. Jono Henness (Fr., Casa Grande, Az./Casa Grande Union) took over for the injured Sean Sandin (Sr., Renton, Wa./Kentridge) at outside back while Daniel Carpenter (Fr., Santa Cruz, Ca./Harbor) moved into midfield. Starting alongside Willis, Steve Spencer (Jr., Scottsdale, Az./Chaparral-Paradise Valley CC) assisted on both goals.

Hail, Marcus. In his first appearance for the U.S. in a World Cup qualifying game, former SPU keeper Marcus Hahnemann was arguably the man of the match in last week’s scoreless road draw with Guatemala. Hahnemann made five saves, including a game-saving stop of a shot going toward the upper left corner in the final minutes. Hahnemann now has six caps for Team USA and that figure could rise with two more qualifiers remaining. The U.S. has already clinched a berth in the 2006 World Cup which will take place in Germany–the birthplace of Hahnemann’s parents. Marcus was a three-time All-American and starred for the 1993 NCAA championship team. After playing for the Seattle Sounders and MLS Colorado Rapids, he’s now with England’s Reading FC.

Throw-ins. Defensively, not since 1990 have the Falcons yielded fewer goals (4) in their first seven games...Seattle Pacific is now 10-2-2 in its last 14 road games. In its last 18 games when scoring the game’s first goal, SPU is 17-0-1...Jeremy Bonner (Sr., Sammamish, Wa./Eastlake) appeared to have sent the Dominguez Hills game into overtime, when his volley found the net at 87:30. However, the Toros responded by scoring the game-winner with 46 seconds left in regulation. Colin Kosco (Fr., Edmonds, Wa./Meadowdale) got the assist on Bonner’s goal...SPU is 5-1-0 versus teams in the Far West. Regis and Metro State will be non-regional games but will still factor into overall Div. II results for postseason selection...Rosten leads the GNAC in goals-against average (0.57) and shutouts (3)...The Falcons dropped to No. 2 in the NSCAA regional ratings, behind Dominguez Hills and ahead of UC San Diego and Seattle University. Metro State did not make the top 25 but did receive votes.

Coaching Staff. Cliff McCrath is the Division II leader in career coaching victories (563). 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 21 years, and five national titles (1978, ‘83, ‘85, ‘86 and ‘93). His staff includes former Falcons Mark Collings (‘98 Final Four), Mark Metzger (‘78 championship team), and Sergio Soriano (‘78 NCAA winners).

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.