Turn clocks on. It’s time to wind the clock and restart the men’s soccer season at Seattle Pacific University after nearly two weeks of inactivity. The 6th-ranked Falcons (10-2-3) begin the stretch run of the regular season when they resume play Thursday night (Oct. 27) in Phoenix. SPU visits Grand Canyon (8-7-2) before playing Cal State Monterey Bay (9-7-1) in the Valley of the Sun Saturday night (Oct. 29), hours before the clocks are turned back elsewhere. After that, it’s a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference games, beginning Nov. 2 at Western Washington.

Time to get greedy. While nothing is assured with regard to an NCAA tournament berth, Seattle Pacific seems well-situated going into the final weeks. The NSCAA coaches poll pushed the Falcons to the top of the Far West Region last week, yet they remain second to Cal State Dominguez Hills in the NCAA ratings which will ultimately determine the three teams advancing to next month’s Division II tournament. With the top-seeded team to receive the home-field advantage and a first-round bye, there’s plenty of incentive for coach Cliff McCrath and his squad to finish with a flourish. SPU is seeking its first postseason berth in five years and it has not hosted a playoff game since 1999. UC San Diego is No. 3 in the NCAA ratings, followed by Seattle University and Sonoma State.

Left in a fog. Seattle Pacific has played only three games this month, and hopefully has not gone stale as a result. Last week’s GNAC contest at Humboldt State was postponed after dense fog closed the airport near Arcata (Ca.) and left the team stranded 110 miles away in Redding. McCrath has contacted the HSU about trying to squeeze in a makeup game against the Lumberjacks early next week, however that appears unlikely. The outcome could help determine second place in the conference and, obviously a victory would benefit the Falcons’ playoff quest. Last week’s postponement created the longest gap between games since a 14-day break in 2001.

Best medicine. The flip side of the inactivity is the opportunity for several players to regain their health. McCrath has started 19 different individuals because of injuries which, at one point, left him with only five available field substitutes. Among those who are now ready to play are Kye Taylor (Sr., Powell River, BC/Cameron) and Sean Sandin (Sr., Renton, Wa./Kentridge), who each were starters on defense through mid-September. In all, Taylor, Sandin and three others who have started on the back line have missed at total of 31 games. McCrath noted that this week marks the first time since early September that he has all of his players healthy and available for selection.

Native suns. A couple of Arizona-grown starters will be supported by family and friends this week in Phoenix. Steve Spencer (Jr., Scottsdale, Az./Chaparral-Paradise Valley CC) has sparked the attack with his speed, quickness and ability to maneuver the ball in tight traffic. He also leads the team with five assists. Jono Henness (Fr., Casa Grande, Az./Casa Grande Union) has moved into a starting role on defense for eight of the last nine games. Incidentally, daytime temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-80s this week.

Canvassing for votes. Soon the coaches around the conference and region will be casting votes for various awards, and at least a few SPU players should merit consideration. Foremost among them will be central midfielder Ross Vaillancourt (Sr., Bedford, NH/Manchester West), who was an all-region selection a year ago. Vaillancourt’s stats are respectable (three goals, four assists) but it’s his skills in gaining and maintaining possession of the ball which will sway voters. Goalkeeper Kellen Rosten (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Doherty) has been stellar while playing behind an (at-times) makeshift defense. Rosten ranks among the NCAA leaders in save percentage (4th, .873), goals-against average (11th, 0.65) and leads the GNAC in shutouts (7). Andy Willis (Jr., Gig Harbor, Wa./Gig Harbor), whose eight goals leads the team, cuts a memorable figure with his shaven head and has put home five game-winners to lead the GNAC. Perhaps the most unsung standout is Matt Kemper (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Palmer), who has proven invaluable both in midfield and, for the past few games, at sweeper of a defense which is 11th nationally.

Throw-ins. Vaillancourt has two goals and four assists in the last six games and has started 48 consecutive games, dating back to ‘03. He has played in 68 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 slipped to a tie for No. 2 in GNAC goals (8) and No. 3 in points (18). He remains the leader in game-winning goals (5). Spencer is the co-leader in assists (5), just ahead of Vaillancourt. Rosten leads the GNAC in GAA (0.65), save percentage (.873) and shutouts (7)...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.