Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif. (Nov. 12) ­ Goals by Colin Rigby and Jeff Hallenbeck in each half spurred 5th-ranked Seattle Pacific to a 2-0 win over Sonoma State in an NCAA Division II Far West Region first round men's soccer game at Toro Stadium Saturday.

James Coggan (off ground) is letting Colin Rigby know he's glad Rigby scored. Colin's goal was the first of the day for the Falcons and it was the winner in the 2-0 victory. Photo courtesy Michael Foo, Cal State Dominguez Hills

The Falcons' (15-2-3) sixth straight win moved them into the regional championship game where they will meet host Cal State Dominguez Hills Monday (Nov. 14) at 1 p.m. It was Seattle Pacific's first playoff win since going to the semifinal round in 1998.

Moments after coming off the bench, James Coggan (So., San Jose, Ca.) set up the opening goal in the 31st minute. On the end of a counterattack, a crisp driven cross from Coggan found the head of Rigby (Jr., Mercer Island, Wa.) for his fourth goal of the year.

Seattle Pacific owned a commanding 7-1 advantage in corner kicks in the first period but Sonoma State controlled the pace in the second half.

Kellen Rosten (So., Colorado Springs, Co.) stopped a breakaway by Nathan Medina in the 79th minute and three minutes later Hallenbeck (So., Redmond, Wa./Inglemoor) sealed the victory.

After being pinned in their own half, another counterattack made it 2-0. Nick Letts (Sr., Dublin, Ca.) threaded a through ball for Hallenbeck to run onto and score with a 6-yard blast at 82:31. It was his fifth goal in as many games and his seventh overall.

“I though we played very well in the first half,” said SPU head coach Cliff McCrath. “We started to unravel a bit in the 2nd half, but you’ve got to hand it to Sonoma. They were a different team than when we played them earlier, very organized and very dangerous.”

Michael Morris (Jr., Bothell, Wa./Blanchet) shot off the post in the 9th minute and Rigby also hit the post in the second half. Nine attacks were whistled offside.

Rosten made seven saves for his 11 shutout. The Falcons posted their fourth straight shutout and 13th overall.

On the rematch, McCrath notes, “We don’t need to think when it comes to Dominguez Hills. We have a long history and we know them. In playoff soccer, every game is a new mountain, and as CSUDH is the top seed, this is the highest mountain in the West.”

The Seawolves (12-9-2) finished with an 18-14 edge in shots. They have only won once in 15 meetings with SPU, including three in postseason.

Scoring--1, SPU, Rigby (Coggan) 30:10; 2, SPU, Hallenbeck (Letts) 82:31.

Shots--SSU 18, SPU 14.

Saves--SSU (Rupp) 7, SPU (Rosten) 7.

Corner kicks--SSU 4, SPU 8.

Fouls--SSU 16, SPU 8.

Offside--SSU 1, SPU 9.

Cautions--Medina, SSU, 29:59.

A--144.