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Just wait. All of the ingredients may well be in place, and with time to grow together in the spring, Seattle Pacific University might just be ready to harvest an NCAA Division II championship in the fall of 2007. The Falcons (12-7-0) finished the men’s soccer season ranked No. 23 in the nation and co-champions of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, but they had sought much more following a strong start. Nine starters are due back.

Season in short. It was a tale of two seasons: a promising start followed by a disappointing finish. In the middle was a bone-jarring car collision which appeared to leave the squad unsettled for October and beyond. Before the car accident which left two players injured in Phoenix Oct. 7, the Falcons had won seven in a row, averaging 3.17 goals in the last six. They were 10-2-0 and seemingly tracking toward hosting the regional tournament. But after surrendering a 2-0 lead at Grand Canyon, they proceeded to lose five of seven, including the last three in a row. Cal State L.A. came from behind to eliminate SPU, 2-1, in the first round of the playoffs.

Key contributors. Coaches from throughout the Far West gave credit to a pair of veterans who stood tall throughout the season. Sweeper Matt Kemper (Jr., Colorado Springs, Co./Palmer) was voted to the NSCAA all-region team along with forward Colin Rigby (Sr., Mercer Island, Wa.). It was the second year in a row that Kemper was tabbed. They also made the Daktronics (SID-voted) selection, along with right back David Reuhl (Sr., Bothell, Wa./Bothell-Bellevue CC), midfielder Jeff Hallenbeck (Jr., Redmond, Wa./Inglemoor) and goalkeeper Kellen Rosten (Jr., Colorado Springs, Co./Doherty).

Made the grades. Two other players were cited for their abilities both on and off the pitch. Forward James Coggan (Jr., San Jose, Ca./Valley Christian) and defender Drew Macha (Jr., Eugene, Or./Marist) were voted ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA College Division Academic All-District 8. Coggan, whose 18 total points led the team, is a biology major with a 3.70 grade point average. Macha has a 3.75 in business administration.

Add another Coggan. Although the NLI signing period is still two months away, the Falcons are already adding new prospects. Jeff Coggan, the younger brother of James, is transferring from Santa Clara where he played three games as a freshman. Jeff, who was listed as a midfielder by the Broncos, will have three seasons of eligibility remaining and will see action for SPU in the spring.

A solid core. When Coach Cliff McCrath reconvenes training in late March, it will be with a squad which is already long on experience and potential. The returning starters include Rosten, Kemper, Josh Burnside (Fr., Black Diamond, Wa./Kennedy) and Macha on defense, Justin Abel (Jr., Snohomish, Wa.), Brandon Crutchfield (Fr., Snohomish, Wa.) Alec Nelson (Fr., Lynnwood, Wa./Meadowdale) and Hallenbeck in midfield, and James Coggan up top. Hallenbeck was No. 3 in total points (13) and was all-GNAC, as were Abel and Rosten. In addition, McCrath has a couple key contributors off the bench, such as midfielder Jordan Dettmer (Fr., Snohomish, Wa.) and defender Colin Kosco (So., Edmonds, Wa./Meadowdale).

Record book. There was very little effect on the record book this season, yet Rosten is poised for some achievements as a senior. Rosten is currently sixth in career shutouts, and needs just two to reach No. 4. He’s also sixth in goals-against average (0.922). Andy Willis (Sr., Gig Harbor, Wa.) climbed into a tie for 10th in game-winning goals (9). The Falcons’ conference co-championship was their ninth overall but first since 2000.

Spinal adjustment. Some of the key figures in the spine of the Falcons’ lineup the past four years are moving on. Rigby, a two-year letterman, scored a team-high seven goals as a senior. Central midfielder Michael Morris (Sr., Bothell, Wa./Blanchet) started 63 games during his career and was an excellent deadball threat. Willis started 54 times and scored 23 goals from up front. Other members of the graduating class are Reuhl, a two-year fixture on defense, and winger Steve Spencer (Sr., Scottsdale, Az./Chaparral-Paradise Valley CC).

Breakdown. Although it was the attack which was lacking in the end, the defense was too inconsistent to bear the load, especially over the second half of the season. The 24 goals allowed was the highest in in three years and the average of 1.24 was more than double that of ‘05. The Falcons allowed three goals four times–the most since 2002. Last season no opponent scored more than twice and 13 were held scoreless. All six of this season’s shutout were posted in the first 12 games. Offensively, the average goals rose slightly higher, to 2.02, but much of the firepower came during the win streak. In the final three outings only two goals were scored.

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.