One for the road. Although the Great Northwest Athletic Conference men’s soccer race has already been decided, the stakes are no less substantial Saturday (Oct. 22), when Seattle Pacific University visits Humboldt State for the first of four consecutive games on the road. The Falcons (1-1-1/10-2-3) must hold form against the Lumberjacks (1-2-1/8-9-1) to remain a frontrunner for one of the region’s few postseason slots. Only three weeks remain in the regular season and currently SPU is ranked No. 5 in the nation. Next week the scene shifts to Phoenix for non-conference bouts with Grand Canyon and Cal State Monterey Bay.

Plot thickens. If anything, the playoff situation in the Far West Region of NCAA Division II has gotten more interesting. Seattle Pacific over took Cal State Dominguez Hills in the NSCAA coaches poll and the NCAA, which publishes its first poll next week, will select three teams for next month’s Division II tournament. After effectively breezing through the first half of the schedule, Dominguez Hills was beaten 6-0 by Sonoma State. Earlier, the Toros had been extended to overtime at San Francisco State. Meanwhile, the closest challengers–SPU, UC San Diego and Seattle University–won out. Dominguez Hills hosts a rejuvenated Cal State Bakersfield and visits UC San Diego this week while Sonoma plays at San Francisco State. The top seed in the region earns a first-round bye and hosts the Far West final Nov. 12.

When it rains. At just about the same time the storm clouds arrived, so did the SPU attack in last week’s 3-1 victory over Notre Dame de Namur. After allowing the first goal at home this season, the Falcons rained three goals on the Argonauts in the second half and could have scored at least a couple more. Seattle Pacific is now unbeaten in 11 home games (9-0-2) going into its final home contest, Nov. 5 versus Seattle U. This season it owns a goal differential of 17-1 at Interbay Stadium with a record of 6-0-1.

Heckuva performance. With his top scorer on the shelf, Coach Cliff McCrath needed some attackers to become more productive up front against NDNU. Jeff Hallenbeck (So., Redmond, Wa./Inglemoor) responded by repeatedly pestering the Argos, peppering their goal with seven shots, including two second-half strikes. It was his first career two-goal game and he’s now tied for second in total points (10) with Ross Vaillancourt (Sr., Bedford, NH/Manchester West), who pulled the strings in midfield and assisted on Hallenbeck’s first goal. Andy Willis (Jr., Gig Harbor, Wa./Gig Harbor), whose eight goals leads the team, missed the last match after accumulating five cautions and will return to the lineup Saturday.

Doing the job. Wherever he plays, Matt Kemper (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Palmer) keeps on making a difference. He found a home at defensive midfield but was pulled back to sweeper after a rash of injuries. Now Kemper is looking like an all-conference pick in that position as the defense ranks among the top 10 nationally in shutout percentage and goals-against average. Kemper also got forward to score the go-ahead goal versus NDNU, flicking a crisp header to the lower right corner off a cross from Nick Letts (Sr., Dublin, Ca./Redwood Christian). Soon McCrath may face a dilemma as Kye Taylor (Sr., Powell River BC/Cameron), the starting sweeper for the first nine games, comes back from an injury. Sean Sandin (Sr., Renton, Wa./Kentridge) is nearing a comeback after missing nine games.

Not this year. It turns out that the scoreless draw with Humboldt State has come back to haunt SPU in the GNAC race. Seattle University wrapped-up first place by beating Western Washington last week and a victory by the Falcons over the Lumberjacks would determine second. Seattle Pacific’s last conference crown was won in 2000, and Seattle U. has not lost a league game since 2002.

Throw-ins. This is the first time Seattle Pacific is No. 1 in the region since falling 2-1 at Cal State Dominguez Hills Sept. 10. The No. 5 national ranking matches its season-high. The Falcons have been among the top 10 for seven consecutive weeks...Vaillancourt, who has contributed two goals and four assists in the last four games, has now started 48 consecutive games, dating back to ‘03, and he has played in 68 straight since his freshman season...Nationally, SPU is No. 5 in save percentage (.873), No. 6 in shutout percentage (0.60) and No. 10 in scoring defense (0.64)...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 slipped to No. 2 in GNAC goals (8) and No. 3 in points (18). He remains the leader in game-winning goals (5). Steve Spencer (Jr., Scottsdale, Az./Chaparral-Paradise Valley CC) is the co-leader in assists (5), just ahead of Vaillancourt. Spencer also had an assist last week, along with Michael Morris (Jr., Bothell, Wa./Blanchet). Goalkeeper Kellen Rosten (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Doherty) leads the GNAC in goals-against average (0.65), save percentage (.873) and shutouts (7). He is No. 4 in NCAA save percentage and 11th in GAA...Four players–Kemper, Vaillancourt, Rosten and Drew Macha (So., Eugene, Or./Marist)–have started each game.

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.