A busy week begins. A week of constant tests awaits the Seattle Pacific University men’s soccer team as it begins a stretch of six straight games on the road. The 9th-ranked Falcons (1-1-0) must play four times at three locations in a span of just seven days, and throughout the trip they will be trying to stay in contention for a playoff berth. The gauntlet begins Saturday (Sept. 2) in Rohnert Park, Calif., with a midday meeting with Cal State L.A. (0-0-1). On Labor Day, SPU faces No. 17 Sonoma State (0-2-0). The scene shifts to San Francisco State (1-1-0) next Wednesday (Sept. 6) and Cal State Stanislaus Sept. 8.

Already crunch time. Much like the past several seasons, Seattle Pacific finds itself in a hole early in the campaign, with respect to earning an NCAA Division II postseason bid. After an encouraging start, the Falcons dropped a pivotal game to the Far West Region’s perennial powerhouse, Cal State Dominguez Hills. Twice the 5th-ranked Toros scored against the run of play to win 2-0 and end an SPU 14-game home unbeaten streak. Furthermore, it gave CSDH the upper hand in the race to host the regional tournament in November. A year ago, Dominguez Hills won an early meeting, which proved decisive in getting the home field advantage in the playoffs.

The travel business. While this is an important, hectic week for Cliff McCrath’s program, it’s nothing new, historically speaking. For many of the past 30 years the Falcons have resembled barnstormers each September, crisscrossing time zones and living out of hotels for much of the month before fall classes commence (thus, not missing any school). In 2004 they were gone for three weeks, making this 5-game, 11-day junket to California look tame by comparison. Over the years, Seattle Pacific has become synonymous extended travel, playing in 22 different states. Later this season the team will venture to Colorado, Arizona and Texas.

Good news, bad news. At times in the first two games, McCrath’s team looked like the national contenders they aim to be. They scored three and twice hit the crossbar in opening with a 3-0 victory over Chico State. Against Dominguez Hills, they more than held their own, especially in the second half, when they dominated for more than a half-hour. But the defense was punished for a brief first-half lapse and in pressing for the equalizer late, a swift counterattack resulted in the second goal. In the two games, SPU out-shot opponents 29-18.

Danger zone. A year ago, the Falcons were undefeated through the first five games, thanks in large part to the golden toe of Andy Willis (Sr., Gig Harbor, Wa./Gig Harbor), who scored five times in the first four games. This time around, Willis and his fellow forwards have been silenced early on. Together, Willis and James Coggan (Jr., San Jose, Ca./Valley Christian) have totaled only four shots. Meanwhile, the midfield has posed the biggest threat. Michael Morris (Sr., Bothell, Wa./Blanchet) and Steve Spencer (Sr., Scottsdale, Az./Chaparral-Paradise Valley CC) each scored versus Chico State, and along with Jeff Hallenbeck (Jr., Redmond, Wa./Inglemoor) and Justin Abel (Jr., Snohomish, Wa./Snohomish-St. John’s) they have taken 15 shots. In the final 22 minutes against the Wildcats, Morris curled in an 18-yard free kick and Spencer hammered home a close-range chance.

Coming through. Besides midfield, Seattle Pacific’s defenders have also proven to be scoring threats. Sweeper Matt Kemper (Jr., Colorado Springs, Co./Palmer) came upfield unmarked and delivered the season’s first goal. In the second half versus Dominguez Hills, Kemper was positioned just behind the forward line and got off two shots, one skipping off the crossbar. Right back David Reuhl (Sr., Bothell, Wa./Bothell-Bellevue CC) was involved offensively, sending in several crosses. Josh Burnside (Fr., Black Diamond, Wa./Kennedy), who came off the bench to play on the left side, set-up Spencer’s goal with a ball cut back near the penalty spot.

Throw-ins. SPU has not lost two in a row in its last 42 games over three seasons...Hallenebck and Abel each hit the goal frame against Chico. Hallenbeck’s six shots lead the team...McCrath used the same starting 11 in each game. Kellen Rosten (Jr., Colorado Springs, Co./Doherty) was in goal and Drew Macha (Jr., Eugene, Or./Marist) and Colin Kosco (So., Edmonds, Wa./Meadowdale) joined Kemper and Reuhl on the back line. Kemper has now started 29 consecutive games, dating back to 2004...Coming off the bench in both games were Burnside, Colin Rigby (Sr., Mercer Island, Wa.), Alec Nelson (Fr., Lynnwood, Wa./Meadowdale) and Jordan Dettmer (Fr., Snohomish, Wa./Snohomish)...Midfielder Daniel Carpenter (So., Santa Cruz, Ca./Harbor) will join the team in California. He recently underwent knee surgery but could see action at some point during the trip, which concludes Sept. 12 at Cal State Monterey Bay. The Great Northwest Conference opener is Sept. 16 at Western Washington and the next home game is Sept. 22 vs. Grand Canyon...GNAC teams are 4-3-0 vs. CCAA teams after one week.

Coaching Staff. Chuck Sekyra was voted coach of the year for the second consecutive time in the GNAC after taking the Falcons to a league title, NCAA playoff berth and a 19-1-2 record in his second season. Seykra, an assistant at Washington for three seasons, has close ties to the Puget Sound soccer community and to Seattle Pacific in particular. He is a graduate of SPU, played on two NCAA championship teams and was assistant men¹s coach from 1998-99. Sekyra was a starter on the Œ86 squad which became the first in Division II history to win back-to-back national crowns. He is head coach of the Washington State girls ODP Under-16 team and a Region IV ODP staff coach. Goalkeeper coach Kevin Blokker returns for his third year on the staff after previously coaching at San Francisco (his alma mater), Wyoming, Fresno State and Kansas. Chalise Baysa, Oregon¹s all-time scoring leader, is in her second season on the staff. She now plays for the W-League Seattle Sounders.

Tickets, please. Ticket prices for all SPU regular season home games are $5 for general admission, with students and senior citizens $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.