Biggest for last. Some 10 weeks after it all got underway under a broiling sun, the men’s soccer season for Seattle Pacific University will reach a point of reckoning. The 6th-ranked Falcons (1-1-1/12-2-3), winners in five of the last six games, find themselves tantalizingly close to securing an NCAA Division II tournament berth going into the final two games. Great Northwest Athletic Conference play resumes Wednesday night (Nov. 2) at Western Washington, followed by the Senior Matinee and Caffé D’arte Cup clash with defending national champion Seattle University Saturday afternoon (Nov. 5) at Interbay Stadium. The playoff bracket will be unveiled Nov. 7 with the Far West Regional to be played Nov. 10 and 12.

Nothing comes easily. National rankings mean nothing when it comes to clinching a postseason berth. It’s strictly business, yet SPU has taken care of matters to date. The Falcons find themselves ranked No. 2 in the all-important NCAA regional rankings, which will determine which three teams keep playing next week. They have relied upon resolute defense and timely scoring to get there. Nothing has come easily, evidenced by the nine one-goal games, including a pair of wins last week in Phoenix. It’s a no-nonsense style reminiscent of the 28 playoff teams (and five NCAA champions) of the past.

An eye on Turlock. In such a competitive region, Coach Cliff McCrath knows his squad must keep its eye on the ball this week. But at the same time, the CCAA tournament outcome in Turlock, Ca., will undoubtedly influence the NCAA selection process. Cal State Dominguez Hills, the current regional No. 1 and one of two teams to defeat SPU, faces Cal State San Bernardino Friday while UC San Diego and Sonoma State, ranked Nos. 3 and 5, meet in the other semifinal. Seattle U. is No. 4 in the Far West. The top seed earns a first-round bye and the right to host the regional tournament.

Senior citizens. Saturday afternoon is the last regular season home game for six seniors. Ross Vaillancourt (Sr., Bedford, NH/Manchester West), an all-region midfielder, has started each of his four seasons, including 50 straight to start the week. Jeremy Bonner (Sr., Sammamish, Wa./Eastlake) has proven invaluable both in midfield and defense particularly in light of the injuries this season. Nick Letts (Sr., Dublin, Ca./Redwood Christian) has scored 12 career goals and 15 assists as a part-time starter up front. Kye Taylor (Sr., Powell River, BC/Cameron), Sean Sandin (Sr., Renton, Wa./Kentridge) and Greg Truax (Sr., Corvallis, Or./Corvallis) have, when healthy, all started for a back line which ranks 11th nationally in scoring defense.

Be like Mike. Seattle Pacific showed no ill-effects from its 13-day absence from competition, beating Grand Canyon (2-1) and Cal State Monterey Bay (1-0). Michael Morris (Jr., Bothell, Wa./Blanchet) was named the GNAC player of the week after figuring in two of the three goals and nearly scoring a fourth. Morris assisted on Jeff Hallenbeck’s (So., Redmond, Wa./Inglemoor) opener versus Canyon. A Morris drive hit the Monterey Bay upright in the first half, and he sent Bonner free down the flank and the cross to James Coggan (So., San Jose, Ca./Valley Christian) for the game-winner in the 84th minute. Colin Rigby (Jr., Mercer Island, Wa.) scored the decisive goal at GCU on a cross from Letts.

First blood. While last week’s offense is not necessarily indicative of the team’s attack (a season-high 28 shots vs. CSMB), the secret to the SPU success has been striking first and forcing the opponent to come forward. The Falcons have found the net first 13 times in 17 games this season and they are unbeaten (23-0-2) in their last 25 games when scoring first. Kellen Rosten (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Doherty) posted his eighth and the team’s 10th shutout in Phoenix and the shutout percentage of .873 ranked No. 4 in the NCAA last week. The last time SPU allowed fewer than 14 goals in the regular season was 10 in 1991.

Throw-ins. SPU is undefeated (10-0-2) in its last 12 home games...Hallenbeck has scored four times in the last six games...McCrath reached his 575th career victory vs. Monterey Bay. He is the Div. II career leader and No. 2 in all of collegiate soccer...Coggan and Andy Willis (Jr., Gig Harbor, Wa./Gig Harbor have each scored four goals at home this season...Vaillancourt has played in 70 consecutive games since his freshman season...Seattle Pacific is 13-3-3 in its last 19 road games...Willis is No. 2 in GNAC goals (8) and No. 3 in points (18). He is 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 and Morris. Rosten leads the GNAC in GAA (0.63), save percentage (.876) and shutouts (8)...Sandin saw his first action since Sept. 10 vs. Grand Canyon...The goals by Rigby and Coggan were the 12th and 13th by nonstarters this season...Four players–Matt Kemper (So., Colorado Springs, Co./Palmer), 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.