Wednesday, October 21, 2015

CONTROLLED DESTINY: With two wins last week and four wins in a row, Seattle Pacific has taken a narrow lead in the conference standings. The Falcons have 20 points and are up three points on second place Montana State Billings.

REGIONAL RANKINGS: The first NCAA Division Regional Rankings were released Oct. 21. These rankings determine which teams will be invited to the NCAA National Tournament in November. Seattle Pacific leads GNAC teams, ranked No. 3 in the West Region. Northwest Nazarene is also in the rankings at No. 8.

BUZZING ‘JACKETS: Montana State Billings made a move last week, defeating Northwest Nazarene 1-0 on Thursday and Concordia 3-2 on Saturday behind Ricardo Palomino’s second half hat trick. Palomino is tied for first in Division II in goals (16) and the Yellowjackets are in second place in the GNAC.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: With the top-five teams within seven points, the GNAC title is still up for grabs. Seattle Pacific plays two tough matches on the road, at Concordia and Northwest Nazarene. Simon Fraser hosts Montana State Billings with potential regional ramifications.

GNAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

OFFENSIVE
Ricardo Palomino, Montana State Billings
F • 6-2 • Sophomore • Puebla, Mexico

The leading goal scorer in Division II scored a hat trick against Concordia on Saturday, leading the Yellowjackets back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Cavaliers 3-2. He scored all three goals in the second half. The effort was the 42nd hat trick in GNAC history and was his second of the season. Also nominated: Erik Anderson (Northwest Nazarene), Adam Jones (Simon Fraser), Gabe Kellum (Seattle Pacific), Jordan Potts (Concordia), Kyle Witzel (Saint Martin’s).

DEFENSIVE
Jake Zimmer, Saint Martin's
F • 6-2 • Junior • Auburn, Wash.

Zimmer played a critical role in the Saints’ defensive effort that allowed just two goals (one on a penalty kick) in two matches, including a 2-1 victory over Western Washington. Also nominated: Chaz Jenkins (Seattle Pacific), Garret Robinson (Montana State Billings).

AROUND THE GNAC

CONCORDIA

• The Cavaliers split their two games last week, defeating Mary 3-2 on Thursday and falling to Montana State Billings 3-2 on Saturday. They are fifth in the conference with 13 points.

• Against Mary, the Cavaliers needed two late goals to pull out the victory. Tevin Lowe scored the game-tier and Matt Paine finished it off with the game-winner.

• Against MSUB, the Cavaliers held a 2-0 halftime lead, but allowed three unanswered goals in the second half to fall 3-2.

• Paine is second in the GNAC in points (22) and goals (8) and shots (46). The Cavaliers are second in the conference in goals (25).

• The Cavaliers will close out the regular season with all five its remaining matches at home. The Cavaliers are 2-0-1 at Tuominen Yard this season. They host No. 9-ranked Seattle Pacific on Thursday and Simon Fraser on Saturday.

MARY

• The Marauders fell twice last week to tough opponents. They lost both matches 3-2, falling to Concordia on Thursday and Northwest Nazarene on Saturday.

• Jordan Pearce had two goals over the week. James Liddiard also added a goal and an assist. Liddiard leads the team in points (9) and goals (4).

• Goalkeeper Ludvig Rhodin is second in the GNAC in saves per game (4.78) and third in total saves (43).

• The Marauders are tied with Saint Martin’s for seventh place with six points and a 2-5-0 conference record. They have won both matches at home.

• Mary will be on the road for the rest of the season. The face Western Washington on Thursday and visit Simon Fraser on Saturday.

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS

• The Yellowjackets won two matches this week against top-five opponents in the conference, receiving the Red Lion Team of the Week award. They defeated Northwest Nazarene 1-0 on Thursday and Concordia 3-2 in comeback fashion on Saturday.

• With the wins, the Yellowjackets moved up to second place in the GNAC with 17 points. They are three points back of first and one point up on third.

• The Yellowjackets received their first ranking in the NSCAA Division II West Region. They entered the poll in 10th place.

• Montana State Billings boasts the top offense in the GNAC. Ricardo Palomino leads the conference in points (34) and goals (16) and game-winning goals (5). He is tied for the Division II lead in goals.

• Julian Toenges has been one of the top facilitators this season, ranking second in the GNAC in assists (8). He is also tied for fourth in points (14).

• The Yellowjackets are on the road for four of their final five matches this season. They visit Simon Fraser on Thursday and Western Washington on Saturday.

NORTHWEST NAZARENE

• The Crusaders split their matches last week, but broke a three-match losing streak in the process. They fell to Montana State Billings 1-0 on Thursday, but defeated Mary 3-2 on Saturday.

• Northwest Nazarene was in the midst of a rough stretch after being ranked No. 12 in the nation on Oct. 6. With the release of the NCAA Division II Regional Rankings on Oct. 21, the Crusaders are ranked eighth.

• The Crusaders remain as one of the most balanced teams in the conference. They are fourth in goals (19) and second in goals allowed (11).

• Goalkeeper Ryan Foo is second in the GNAC in goals against average (0.76) and shutouts (6) and third in save percentage (.784).

• Julio Castillo leads the team and is third in the GNAC in points (16). He also leads the conference in assists (10).

• The Crusaders are in third place in the GNAC with 16 points and a 5-3-1 record. They host Saint Martin’s on Thursday before hosting No. 9 Seattle Pacific on Saturday in a match with potential regional ramifications.

SAINT MARTIN’S

• The Saints earned a win and a loss this week in two close matches. For the second time this season, the Saints defeated Western Washington, this time 2-1 in Lacey, Wash. Saint Martin’s also fell 1-0 to Simon Fraser.

• Kyle Witzel scored both goals against Western Washington, including the game-winner with two seconds left on the clock. In an exciting last minute, Western Washington tied the match with 41 seconds left, before Witzel answered back with the decisive goal.

• Witzel leads the team with five goals and 10 points. He is tied for seventh in the conference in points and fourth in goals. Jake Zimmer was named GNAC Defensive Player of the Week as a forward, helping to lead the Saints to their win over Western Washington.

• Goalkeeper Nick Rosato leads the conference in saves (62) and saves per game (5.17).

• The Saints are tied with Mary for seventh place in the conference standings with six points. They have a 2-7-0 conference record and are 3-9-1 overall.

• Saint Martin’s will on the road at Northwest Nazarene on Thursday and at Concordia on Saturday. 

SEATTLE PACIFIC

• The Falcons hit a rough stretch in early October, but have since responded with four straight wins, reclaiming first place in the GNAC with 20 points.

• Seattle Pacific jumped up to No. 9 in the NSCAA Division II Top-25. In the first NCAA Division II Regional Rankings, the Falcons are third in the West Region.

• The Falcons exacted revenge for their only loss of the season, defeating Simon Fraser 3-2 on Thursday. They then defeated Western Washington 4-0 on Saturday.

• After scoring just 10 goals in its opening nine games (1.1 per game), SPU erupted for 14 in its last four outings (3.5 gpg).

• Gabe Kellum has compiled two goals and five assists during the last four outings. He is tied for seventh in the conference in points (10).

• The Falcons also have four players in the top-10 in scoring in the GNAC. Ian Adams leads the way with 11 points. Kellum and Danny Olivas have 10 points each and Mori Tsuchiya is tied for 10th with nine points.

• The Falcons will be on the road, facing two teams that are close behind in the conference standings. They will be at Concordia on Thursday and at Northwest Nazarene on Saturday.

SIMON FRASER

• Simon Fraser has been on the rise in the conference over the last few weeks, now in fourth place with 15 points. They are five points back of first and two points behind second.

• The Clan were on a five-match unbeaten streak heading into the week, but fell to No. 9-ranked Seattle Pacific 3-2 on Thursday. Simon Fraser responded with a 1-0 victory over Saint Martin’s on Saturday.

• Adam Jones scored two goals last week. He leads the team in points (14) and goals (6). He is also first in the GNAC in shots (53).

• The Clan defense is tied for second in goals allowed (11) and are third in goals against average (0.88).

• Simon Fraser hosts second place Montana State Billings on Thursday and Mary on Saturday.

WESTERN WASHINGTON

• The Vikings lost both matches last week, falling to Saint Martin’s 2-1 on Thursday and Seattle Pacific 4-0 on Saturday.

• Western Washington put themselves back in the GNAC race with two wins the previous week, but fell back behind first place SPU by 12 points with the back-to-back losses.

• Against Saint Martin’s, the Vikings’ Luke Olney scored a 90th minute goal to tie the match up at one apiece. The Saints responded with their own 90th minute goal to down the Vikings.

• Adam Talley leads the team with eight points and three goals. 12 players have scored goals this season for the Vikings. Jeremy Wentzel leads the team with four assists.

• The Vikings will need to get back into the win column with matches at home against Mary on Thursday and Montana State Billings on Saturday. They are sixth in the GNAC with a 2-5-2 record in conference.