Still here. A bit battered physically, the 7th-ranked and stingy Seattle Pacific University men’s soccer team plunges further into the second half of the season with a couple home games this week. The Falcons (7-1-3) aim for their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory when they host Western Washington (1-9-1) Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 28). A four-game home stand concludes Saturday night (Oct. 1) against Simon Fraser (7-1-0), the No. 8-ranked team in NAIA. SPU visits Seattle University Oct. 8.

If they can’t score... It’s been nearly a year since the Falcons lost at home. No wonder. It’s been awhile since the visitors have scored. Five games (and 50 weeks), in fact. Last week Seattle Pacific blanked Grand Canyon 3-0 and tied Humboldt State 0-0 in its GNAC opener. While the latter was disappointing in light of a 21-8 advantage in shots and 8-0 in corners, it extended the Interbay Stadium unbeaten run to eight games (6-0-2), dating back to last season. In four home dates this year SPU has out-scored opponents 9-0.

At the half. Back in August, Coach Cliff McCrath wondered aloud whether it would take a near-prefect record for the Falcons–or any other team in the Far West Region–to make the NCAA tournament. The performance over the first half of the season, while not perfect, was good enough to put SPU in a good position. The only loss in the first 11 games was on the road to Cal State Dominguez Hills, the top team in the region. Two of the ties were difficult to deal with. At Regis, Seattle Pacific held the lead until the final minute of regulation. Against Humboldt, the team controlled possession yet only one shot was on goal as the attack was silenced for the first time in 17 games, dating back to ‘04.

Starters & finishers. Everyone wants to earn a starting position and everyone likes to score goals. However, on this particular SPU squad it’s apparently difficult to do both. Half of the 20 goals have been scored by substitutes, including two of the three versus Grand Canyon. James Coggan (So., San Jose, Ca./Valley Christian) got things started just 7 seconds before halftime, threading his shot just inside the post for his third goal of the year. Nick Letts (Sr., Dublin, Ca./Redwood Christian) scored for the first time this season after coming off the bench in the second half. Colin Rigby (Jr., Mercer Island, Wa./MI-Denver U.), who started, also got his first goal.

Running the show. He’s essentially been running the show from central midfield for three years, yet his influence on the game rarely registers in the statistics. Until last week, that is. Ross Vaillancourt (Sr., Bedford, N.H./Manchester West) assisted on all three goals versus Grand Canyon, establishing a career high, tying a GNAC record and becoming the first SPU player to do so since 2000. Vaillancourt, an all-region selection last season and ball control artist, also hit the post with a shot of his own, and was named the co-player of the week in the GNAC.

Patchwork. McCrath has been juggling his lineup of late, and not by choice. Injuries have shelved or hindered four players who started on opening day, including three of the back four. So far, eight different players have started on defense and yet the Falcons remain among the NCAA leaders in shutout percentage (16th), with seven in 11 games. Goalkeeper Kellen Rosten (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Doherty) leads the GNAC in goals-against average (0.61), save percentage (.848) and shutouts (5). Drew Macha (So., Eugene, Or./Marist) is the only defender to start each game and has formed a new partnership with converted midfielder Matt Kemper (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Palmer) in the middle.

Throw-ins. In its last 21 games when scoring the game’s first goal, SPU is 19-0-2...In a game lacking scoring, Steve Spencer (Jr., Scottsdale, Az./Chaparral-Paradise Valley CC) was certainly the star, splitting the HSU defense on the dribble several times...Despite being held scoreless in his last four games, Andy Willis (Jr., Gig Harbor, Wa./Gig Harbor) remains the GNAC leader in goals (7), points (15) and game-winning goals (4). Vaillancourt, Rigby and Spencer share the GNAC assists lead (3)...Kye Taylor (Sr., Powell River, BC/Cameron) missed both games last week with a leg injury. Three other defenders–Greg Truax (Sr., Corvallis, Or./Corvallis), Sean Sandin (Sr., Renton, Wa./Kentridge) and David Reuhl (Jr., Bothell, Wa./Bothell-Bellevue CC–were also sidelined...Midfielder Michael Morris (Jr., Bothell, Wa./Blanchet) returned to the starting lineup vs. HSU after sufficiently recovering from a shoulder injury...Only five players–Willis, Rosten, Macha, Kemper and Vaillancourt –have started each game...SPU is 6-1-1 versus teams in the Far West.

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.