Battle of Seattle. One of those red-letter dates on the schedule arrives this weekend as Seattle Pacific University seeks to strengthen its case for making the NCAA Division II men’s soccer tournament next month. Unbeaten in their last seven games, the Falcons (1-0-1/9-1-3) play a pivotal Great Northwest Athletic Conference game Saturday afternoon (Oct. 8) when they cross from Queen Anne to First Hill for the encounter with defending national champion Seattle University (2-0-0/8-4-0). The next match on the docket is at home Oct. 14 against Notre Dame de Namur.

Stakes rise, pace slows. It’s been a hectic first six weeks with SPU playing two and sometimes three times each week. While the pace slows to just three games over a 21-day span, certainly the games only get more important now. Seattle Pacific is well-positioned in the postseason hunt, currently sitting No. 2 in the NSCAA Far West Region coaches ratings. Still, it’s a long way until November, when three teams will advance to the playoffs. Hopefully the schedule will allow several players to recover from injuries yet not dull the sharpness exhibited in last week’s wins over Western Washington (3-0) and Simon Fraser (2-0).

Slight change of venue. For the past couple weeks, the Falcons were encamped at Interbay Stadium, where they are now unbeaten in 10 games (8-0-2), including shutouts in the last seven. While they won’t travel all that far for this weekend’s fixture, Championship Field has held far fewer fond memories. SPU has not won at Seattle U. in its last six tries, going back eight years. The last five have all been decided by one goal, including three in overtime. The Redhawks have won 15 of their last 16 at home.

An aching back. It’s known as the back four, but for Coach Cliff McCrath it’s been more like the back nine. No, it’s not the second half of a golf course. It’s the number of players McCrath has started on defense this season. Only stopper Drew Macha (So., Eugene, Or./Marist) has started all 13 games, and even he has been moved around as injuries have mounted. And yet the Falcons have not skipped a beat. Despite the lineup upheaval, SPU still rates among the NCAA leaders in shutout percentage (No. 5) and scoring defense (11th). The four consecutive shutouts equals the longest such stretch since 1992. Three weeks ago, Matt Kemper (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Palmer) shifted from midfield to sweeper and his organizational skills, alert play and strong tackling earned him GNAC player of the week. Due to injuries on defense and up front, McCrath has started 19 different players thus far.

Angels in the midfield. While the midfield has been mined by McCrath to shore-up defense, the four-man unit keeps on clicking. Seattle Pacific dominated possession during the home stand and the men in the middle have not only helped thwart offensive thrusts by the opposition, they have also bee shouldering much of the scoring load. Four of last week’s five goals came from midfielders, including two by All-America candidate Ross Vaillancourt (Sr., Bedford, NH/Manchester West). Jeff Hallenbeck (So., Redmond, Wa./Inglemoor) contributed a goal and an assist, and Michael Morris (Jr., Bothell, Wa./Blanchet) breaking a long-standing school record for the earliest goal, struck after just 13 seconds against Simon Fraser, the No. 6 team in NAIA.

Throw-ins. In its last 23 games when scoring the game’s first goal, SPU is 21-0-2...Seattle Pacific is now 11-2-3 in its last 16 road games...Andy Willis (Jr., Gig Harbor, Wa./Gig Harbor) broke a four-game scoreless drought versus SFU and remains the GNAC leader in goals (8), points (17) and game-winning goals (5). Steve Spencer (Jr., Scottsdale, Az./Chaparral-Paradise Valley CC), whose corner kick found Vaillancourt for the second goal against the Clan, leads the GNAC in assists (4). Vaillancourt and James Coggan (So., San Jose, Ca./Valley Christian) are tied for No. 4 in points (9). Goalkeeper Kellen Rosten (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Doherty) leads the GNAC in goals-against average (0.52), save percentage (.885) and shutouts (7)...Jono Henness (Fr., Casa Grande, Az./Casa Grande Union) has started the last seven games at left back...McCrath, who had just six available reserves for field positions last week, expects to have a few more players back from the injured list by Saturday...Five players–Willis, Rosten, Macha, Kemper and Vaillancourt –have started each game...SPU is 7-1-1 versus teams in the Far West...SPU remains No. 2 in the Far West and No. 9 in the nation, according to the NSCAA coaches polls. Cal State Dominguez Hills, the sole team to defeat SPU, is No. 1 and No. 4, respectively.

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.