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Slipping into gear. What better way to reward a three-game win streak than to stage the next three games at home. Such are the spoils for the Seattle Pacific University men’s soccer team which has played it’s last six matches on the road. The 16th-ranked Falcons (6-2-0) begin a home stand Friday night (Sept. 22) vs. Grand Canyon (2-4-0). They host Notre Dame de Namur (3-2-2) Monday (Sept. 25) and then Regis Sept. 29.

500s around the corner. Given the historical record of success (.798 win percentage) at home, a milestone victory is likely to be realized during these next two weeks at Interbay Stadium. The next win will be the 500th for the Seattle Pacific program and two more positive results will mark 500 for Coach Cliff McCrath during his 37 years with the Falcons. The SPU program began in 1968 but struggled out of the gate, going 1-21-4 in the first three seasons. However, since then, there have been an NCAA Division II record 35 consecutive winning campaigns, another record 29 playoff berths and five national championships. McCrath’s record at SPU is 498-179-80 and altogether, he has 583 wins (in 47-plus years) to rank No. 2 all-time, in all divisions.

Goals a good sign. Wins are one thing, but when a squad starts to rev its offense it’s an indication that pieces are truly falling into place. The offense caught fire last week, scoring a total of seven goals in road victories over Cal State Monterey Bay (3-1) and Western Washington (4-1). That bodes well for a team trying to integrate talented newcomers into a proven, experienced side, yet give chase to a postseason berth at the same time. The seven goals equalled the amount of goals generated in the previous six games when the Falcons went 3-2-0.

Not-so-raggedy Andy. In the initial stages of the season, goals were harder to come by, and came from practically everywhere. Now the forwards are pressing their case. Last week it was Andy Willis (Sr., Gig Harbor, Wa./Gig Harbor) getting his scoring groove back. After scoring only twice in his last 20 games dating back to last year, Willis made the most of his two shots, converting both for goals in each game to earn a share of Great Northwest Athletic Conference player of the week. Willis now has 21 career goals.

Now starting at forward. Discontent with merely serving as a prolific supersub, James Coggan (Jr., San Jose, Ca./Valley Christian) has not only won himself a starting job up front but is now entrenched at the position. Coggan, who made only two starts in his first two seasons, has started each game and has contributed to at least one goal in four of the last five wins. He scored the first goal at Monterey Bay and added assist, plus another in Bellingham, to take over the team lead in total points with eight (2 goals, 4 assists). As one of the team’s top reserves, Coggan tallied 10 goals and eight assists as a freshman and sophomore, including five game-winners.

Focus shows. Although not every foray results in a credited shot in the statistics, the fact is that the Falcons are honing their attack, and demonstrating a knack for making the kill. In the three games since converting only one of 26 shots at San Francisco State, SPU has raised its game. Last week’s numbers were impressive. Fifteen of the 26 shots (58 percent) were on goal and 25 percent hit the back of the net. In addition to Willis and Coggan, Jeff Hallenbeck (Jr., Redmond, Wa./Inglemoor), Michael Morris (Sr., Bothell, Wa./Blanchet) and Colin Rigby (Sr., Mercer Island, Wa.) all scored. It was a Morris blast which got things off the mark at Western. He shares the team lead with three goals.

Throw-ins. The six days between the win at Western and the Grand Canyon game is the longest rest period during the season...Seattle Pacific rejoined the national top 25 after dropping out the previous week. Defending champion Fort Lewis (Co.) is No. 1...After winning its first six games and threatening to run away with the No. 1 seed in the Far West Region, Cal State Dominguez has lost two of three. Four teams from the region will make the newly expanded NCAA bracket in November...In the NSCAA coaches regional rankings, Dominguez Hills is No. 1, followed by SPU and Seattle University...David Reuhl (Sr., Bothell, Wa./Bothell-BCC) and Steve Spencer (Sr., Scottsdale, Az./Chaparral-Paradise Valley CC) each picked up assists last week...Sweeper Matt Kemper (Jr., Colorado Springs, Co./Palmer) has now started 48 consecutive games. The others to start all eight games are Willis, Coggan, Hallenbeck, Morris, Justin Abel (Jr., Snohomish, Wa./Snohomish), Kellen Rosten (Jr., Colorado Springs, Co./Doherty) and Drew Macha (Jr., Eugene, Or./Marist)...Morris is the GNAC leader in shots (26) while Rosten is tops in shutouts (4) and GAA (0.88)...SPU which lost its last home game, has not been defeated in consecutive home games since 2003.

Coaching Staff. Cliff McCrath is the Division II leader in career coaching victories. 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 28 NCAA playoff appearances, including berths in 18 of the last 22 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 $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.