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Kick-off nears. Many of the trappings for a strong men’s soccer season are in place, and now it’s time to see how they blend together. Ranked No. 22 in the national preseason rankings, Seattle Pacific University gets its campaign underway Thursday night (Aug. 23) at the home of one of its biggest rivals, Chico State. That and Saturday’s (Aug. 25) match at Cal State Stanislaus represent the first of three trips to California. The Falcons home opener is Sept. 1 against San Francisco State.

Intangibles in place? On paper, SPU looks impressive. Seven starters are back from a squad which shared the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title, finished 12-7-0 and reached the NCAA Division II tournament. Along with some key newcomers, Coach Cliff McCrath hopes that his experienced players will provide the leadership necessary for the lineup to mesh into a unit. Seattle Pacific is looking for a return to its glory days and a sixth NCAA title and first since 1993. The Falcons are co-favorites in the GNAC.

A sturdy spine. McCrath counts three past all-region players in the projected starting 11. Goalkeeper Kellen Rosten (Sr., Colorado Springs, Co./Doherty), sweeper Matt Kemper (Sr., Colorado Springs, Co./Palmer) and attacking midfielder Jeff Hallenbeck (Sr., Redmond, Wa./Inglemoor) are two-year starters. Rosten was the GNAC player of the year as a sophomore but injuries hindered a similar performance in ‘06. The cat-quick Kemper has been inked into the lineup for 59 consecutive games. Hallenbeck has scored 15 goals and is coming off two appearances for the U.S. National Amateur Team versus Ireland.

Proven winners. Hallenbeck, Kemper and Rosten were among six returnees who led Oregon United to the national U-23 amateur cup championship earlier this month. Joining them were forward James Coggan (Sr., San Jose, Ca./Valley Christian), central defender Drew Macha (Sr., Eugene, Or./Marist) and center midfielder Justin Abel (Sr., Snohomish, Wa.). Coggan’s 18 total points led the team last season and he has 16 career goals. Abel started each game following his transfer from St. John’s. Fourteen years ago, prior to the last national championship run, Falcons formed the nucleus of another local club which won the amateur cup.

Finishing touches. It’s been awhile since Seattle Pacific went through to the NCAA semifinals (1998) and perhaps it’s no coincidence that for many of those years the program has lacked a bona fide scoring ace. All five of McCrath’s championship teams possessed at least one 14-goal scorer, yet there’s been only one such striker in the last eight years. Two newcomers could help change that, directly or indirectly. Jeff Coggan (So., San Jose, Ca./Valley Christian), a transfer from Santa Clara, could provide a playmaking spark in midfield, and Grant Burton (Fr., Lafayette, Co./Monarch) is a possible partner for James Coggan up front. Both the elder Coggan and Hallenbeck could benefit from the increased scoring chances.

‘D’ is key. Another hallmark of past NCAA winners is defense; only one title team allowed more than a goal per game to opponents. Macha, Kemper and Rosten will anchor a backline which needs to significantly cut last year’s goals-against average of 1.24. Those central figures will be flanked by Colin Kosco (Jr., Edmonds, Wa./Meadowdale), Jordan Dettmer (So., Snohomish, Wa.) or Jono Henness (Jr., Casa Grande, Az./Casa Grande Union). Hartwick transfer Wyatt Seddon-Johnstone (Jr., Burnaby, B.C./Burnaby Central) and Alec Nelson (Fr., Lynnwood, Wa./Meadowdale) are in the running for midfield wings.

Business trips. Seattle Pacific will face all of the CCAA frontrunners before October, including league favorite Sonoma State at home Sept. 3. The 11 home dates is the most since 2000 and represents three more Interbay Stadium games than ‘06. From Sept. 20-Oct. 19 seven of nine games will be at home, including the first visit of UC San Diego. The GNAC slate has doubled to eight games with the addition of Montana State Billings and Saint Martin’s. Northwest Nazarene will join in ‘08.

Throw-ins. Seattle Pacific and Seattle U. split the five first-place votes in the GNAC poll...Hallenbeck served as co-captain for the U.S. team, which beat Ireland in both meetings last month...Marcus Hahnemann, the former three-time All-American, has been named to the U.S. team traveling to Sweden Wednesday. After fracturing multiple bones in his hand last May, Hahnemann started the English Premier League season by making 10 saves in Reading’s scoreless draw with defending champion Manchester United. He post two shutouts in the first three games...The Falcons scrimmaged other collegiate teams twice last week...SPU started last season 10-2-0 with six shutouts. The 24 goals allowed was the highest in in three years, and included 13 goals in the last seven games...Rosten needs just two shutouts to reach No. 4 on the career list...SPU outscored opponents 20-9 in the first half...SPU started 10-2-0 last season, with six of those wins by shutout...Colin Rigby, last year’s goal leader with seven, now plays for the Seattle Sounders, leaders of the USL First Division...Going into the ‘07 season McCrath (590) trails only retired Wheaton coach Joe Bean (606) in all-time collegiate wins.

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 30 NCAA playoff appearances, including berths in 19 of the last 23 years, and five national titles (1978, ‘83, ‘85, ‘86 and ‘93). His staff features three of his former players: Mark Collings, James Ward and Mark Metzger.

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.