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Crunch time. Going into the final game of the men’s soccer regular season, Seattle Pacific University has virtually everything to play for. Bragging rights, a Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship and, most of all, an NCAA Division II tournament berth could all be secured when the 8th-ranked Falcons (12-5-0) visit Seattle University (9-7-0) Saturday afternoon (Oct. 28). Kickoff is 2 o’clock. Playoff berths will be announced Monday (Oct. 30) and first round games are Nov. 2.

Seeding at stake. SPU started this final week as the No. 1 team in the Far West Region and the frontrunner to host the tournament. Yet a loss at No. 19 Incarnate Word could prove costly. Sonoma State and Cal State Dominguez Hills are in hot pursuit of the top seed, and the two teams meet in the opening round of the CCAA tournament Friday in La Jolla, Ca. Cal State L.A., Humboldt State, Grand Canyon and Seattle U. round out the top seven in the region. The top four teams in will receive tournament invitations. The Falcons are seeking to host a postseason game for the first time since 1999. They have qualified for the playoffs a Div. II record 28 times, winning NCAA titles in 1978, ‘83, ‘85, ‘86 and ‘93.

A point away. Seattle Pacific has clinched no worse than a tie for the GNAC title, its first since 2000. A draw or win against the two-time defending champion Redhawks would claim the crown outright. Last week SPU beat Western Washington 3-1 in its final home game. The Vikings host SU Wednesday night.

A change could do some good. Ever since Seattle U. opened its new home field, the Falcons have found it tough to go across town for wins. The Redhawks have won the last seven meetings at Championship Field, going back to 1997. The last five have been decided by one goal, including two in overtime. Prior to this season the facility was renovated, with covered seats added along the east sideline.

Bumps in the road. Coach Cliff McCrath would love for his squad to recapture the magic exhibited to start the month, when a win streak reached seven games. Then came a trip to Phoenix and a car crash which resulted in two injured players and the cancellation of one game. Since then, Seattle Pacific has lost three of five, although all by one goal and two defeats were at the hands of postseason contenders on the road. During this stretch, Falcons have started strong but have been outscored 7-4 in the second half and overtime.

Back on track. The two players who missed games following the accident are now back in the fold. Forward James Coggan (Jr., San Jose, Ca./Valley Christian) returned to form against Western, scoring what proved to be the game-winner on a 22-yard free kick for his sixth goal. That goal, a near-miss on another free kick and generally effective attacking play earned Coggan the GNAC player of the week award. Midfielder Michael Morris (Sr., Bothell, Wa./Blanchet) has yet to start a game since the accident, but did come off the bench for about 40 minutes at Incarnate Word.

Close calls. It’s a low-scoring sport, so close games are inevitable, and Seattle Pacific has been involved in plenty of them this season. Seven of the games have been decided by one goal. The key to getting some breathing room is scoring first. When the Falcons do, they are 9-1-0 and the average margin in those games is 2.4 goals. In their last two wins, they hit the net within the game’s first 25 minutes. At Incarnate Word, SPU was the clear aggressor for the first half (9-4 in shots), yet had nothing to show for it. It was the first time the attack had been held scoreless in 15 games.

Throw-ins. The Falcons have been quick to recoil from any setbacks, avoiding back-to-back losses since 2003. Following the Simon Fraser defeat, Justin Abel (Jr., Snohomish, Wa./Snohomish) gave the team the needed lift with a 25-yard shot to opening the scoring versus Western. Rigby was credited with an assist, extending his string to five games with either a goal or assist...Reminiscent of last season, Jeff Hallenbeck (Jr., Redmond, Wa./Inglemoor) has been more productive during the second half of the season. Hallenbeck’s goal against the Vikings was his fourth in seven games...SPU has outscored opponents 19-6 in the first half. ...Sweeper Matt Kemper (Jr., Colorado Springs, Co./Palmer) has now started 57 consecutive games. The others to start all 17 games this season are David Reuhl (Sr., Bothell, Wa./Bothell-Bellevue CC), Hallenbeck, Kellen Rosten (Jr., Colorado Springs, Co./Doherty) and Abel...Rigby and Coggan are tied for No. 3 in total points in the conference. Coggan and Brandon Crutchfield (Fr., Snohomish, Wa.) are tied for No. 3 in GNAC assists (5). Rosten is No. 1 in shutouts (5) and GAA (1.05).

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.