Tuesday, September 23, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. – Statistically, some of the nation’s best offensive and defensive teams are atop the GNAC standings this week.

Two of them, Mary’s on offense and Seattle Pacific’s on defense, will meet Thursday to decide whose side of the ball is better.

Seattle Pacific, moving to No. 10 in the NSCAA polls this week, is third in the nation in shutout percentage and goals against average and fifth in save percentage.

A big reason why is sophomore goal keeper Cody Lang. Lang has recorded four shutouts this year and ranks third in the nation in save percentage (.923).

Mary’s offense exploded last week in its 6-3 victory over conference and boarder rival, South Dakota Mines.

The Marauders’ Jordan Pearce scored three times in that matchup and currently is tied for second in the nation in goals per game.

Two other high powered offenses square off this weekend in Northwest Nazarene and Simon Fraser.

NNU, who sits with a 4-1 record heading into this week’s play, ranks 15^th in assists per game and 20^th in total assists.

The Crusaders Erik Anderson has been a force this season scoring five goals, three of them game winners.

Anderson ranks 15^th in goals per game and 17^th in points per game nationally.

Simon Fraser will look to get a notch in the win column this week after tying Western Washington 1-1 last week.

SFU’s Jovan Blagojevic has scored five goals this season and ranks 8^th in goals per game and 12^th in points per game.

Western Washington is showing that it’s a force to be reckoned with too after the tie. The Vikings’ Tye Hastings has a pair of game winning goals, which ranks 9^th nationally.