One for the road. The stretch drive for the Seattle Pacific University men’s soccer team will begin and end at home. Friday night (Oct. 14) the 9th-ranked Falcons play their penultimate game at Interbay Stadium when Notre Dame de Namur (7-6-1) visits for a non-conference contest. After that, the next four games are on the road, beginning with a Great Northwest Athletic Conference match Oct. 22 at Humboldt State.

Postseason snapshot. With six regular season games remaining, the Falcons find themselves in the thick of the postseason race. They are No. 2 in this week’s NSCAA regional coaches rankings, with the top three teams in the Far West qualifying for the NCAA tournament next month. Cal State Dominguez Hills is the region’s frontrunner, followed by SPU–which absorbed a disappointing 2-1 loss at suddenly in-form Seattle University last week–and UC San Diego. It’s likely that a playoff berth will be on the line for one or both teams when the Redhawks visit Interbay for the final game of the season Nov. 5.

Home run. The setback at Seattle U. may have snapped a seven-game unbeaten string, but at home SPU is still enjoying quite a run of success. The Falcons have not lost in their last 10 at Interbay (8-0-2), dating back to Oct. 8, 2004, and have not allowed a goal in the last seven. This season, Seattle Pacific owns a goal differential of 14-0 at home and has won five and been tied once. Andy Willis (Jr., Gig Harbor, Wa./Gig Harbor) has tallied four times at home this season and in his last 13 home dates James Coggan (So., San Jose, Wa./Valley Christian) has scored eight goals and added five assists.

Time to heal. If time heals all wounds, then this relative lull (three games in two weeks) in the schedule may be just the prescription for some ailing players. Coach Cliff McCrath started last week with six players out with injuries. By game time arrived, only a couple players were in streetclothes. Colin Kosco (Fr., Edmonds, Wa./Meadowdale) returned to right back at Seattle U. while Colin Rigby (Jr., Mercer Island, Wa.) saw considerable playing time at forward. Kosco and Rigby had each been sidelined two games due to injuries. McCrath has started 19 different players thus far.

Finish work. Daniel Carpenter (Fr., Santa Cruz, Ca./Harbor) has started only one game in midfield this season yet he’s the team’s No. 2 scorer after scoring at Seattle U. Carpenter came off the bench to get the game-winner at Cal Poly Pomona last month, and his scoring percentage per shot (28.6 percent) is the GNAC’s highest for those with four or more goals.

Soon to be a fixture. Short on name recognition around these parts, Notre Dame de Namur figures to become a fixture on the schedule in future years. The Argonauts from Belmont, Calif., in the Bay Area, have recently rejoined NCAA Division II after about 10 years as an NAIA member. With Humboldt State due to leave the GNAC for the CCAA next season, the scramble will be to fill those open dates with Div. II non-conference opponents, such as NDNU and Grand Canyon.

Throw-ins. Despite the loss, Seattle Pacific remains No. 9 in the NSCAA national rankings. The Falcons have been among the top 10 for six consecutive weeks. Cal State Dominguez Hills, the first team to defeat SPU, is No. 4...Ross Vaillancourt (Sr., Bedford, NH/Manchester West), the steadying force in midfield and All-American candidate, has now started 47 consecutive games, dating back to ‘03, and he has played in 67 straight since his freshman season...In its last 23 games when scoring the game’s first goal, SPU is 21-0-2...Seattle Pacific is 11-3-3 in its last 17 road games...Willis remains the GNAC leader in goals (8) and game-winning goals (5), and co-leader in points (18). Steve Spencer (Jr., Scottsdale, Az./Chaparral-Paradise Valley CC) is the co-leader in assists (4). Goalkeeper Kellen Rosten (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Doherty), who had a career-high 10 saves at Seattle U., leads the GNAC in goals-against average (0.62), save percentage (.877) and shutouts (7)...Prior to last week’s game, Rosten ranked No. 8 nationally in GAA and sixth in save percentage. The team was No. 2 in shutout percentage, No. 5 in save percentage and No. 6 in scoring defense...Five players–Willis, Vaillancourt, Rosten, Drew Macha (So., Eugene, Or./Marist) and Matt Kemper (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Palmer)–have started each game...SPU will now need help if it plans to overtake Seattle U. for the GNAC championship. The Redhawks can clinch the crown with a win over Western Washington Sunday. An SU draw or loss would keep the Falcons in contention.

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.