Friday, September 11, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Seattle Pacific men's soccer team headlined the GNAC with three-straight shutouts to start the season. The defense looks to be in prime form, allowing only two shots on goal combined over the three games. Nationally, the Falcons ranked No. 5 in the NSCAA Division II National Poll.

Following SPU, Northwest Nazarene also joins the rankings at No. 13. The Crusaders finished their Hawaiian trip with a perfect 3-0 record and lead the conference in offense with six goals and 20 points in the early season. Freshman Alex Mitrovic of NNU was named the GNAC Offensive Player of the Week with two goals in as many games. On the other side of the ball, SPU's Bryson Pavel earned GNAC Defensive Player of the week honors.

Western Washington is ranked No. 7 in the NSCAA West Region Rankings after a 2-0-1 start. The Vikings are also led by their defense, allowing one goal combined in three games.

In the early going, GNAC teams are combined 11-6-4 in non-conference play. Conference games are set to begin Saturday, Sept. 19.

MEN'S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

OFFENSE
Alex Mitrovic, Northwest Nazarene
M • 5-11 • 165 • Freshman • Belgrade, Serbia

Mitrovic kicked off his collegiate career by scoring the Crusaders’ lone goal in their 1-0 win at Hawaii-Hilo on Friday. He then added the first goal of the game in NNU’s 2-1 overtime win at Hawaii Pacific on Saturday. Also nominated: James Liddiard (Mary), Danny Olivas (Seattle Pacific), Matt Paine (Concordia), Niklas Schregel (Montana State Billings), Adam Talley (Western Washington).

DEFENSE
Bryson Pavel, Seattle Pacific
D • 6-0 • 160 • Senior • Boise, Idaho

Pavel led a Seattle Pacific defense that allowed just one shot on goal in two shutout wins. He also made his presence felt at the other end of the field with a team-high nine shots, including an 83rd minute header against Chico State on Saturday that caromed off the crossbar. Seattle Pacific allowed just six shots in Thursday’s 1-0 win over Cal Baptist and nine shots, none on goal, in Saturday’s win over Chico State. Also nominated: Ryan Foo (Northwest Nazarene), Ludwig Rhodin (Mary), Brady Ulen (Western Washington).

TEAM CAPSULES

CONCORDIA
- Started 1-1 in first official week as member of GNAC.
- Even in goals for and against with three.
- Matt Paine and Erick Urzua lead the team and are fifth in the conference with a goal and assist each.
- Will play their first home match Friday against Linfield.

MARY
- Second in the GNAC in shots per game (15.0).
- Second in the GNAC in saves per game (6.0).
- Tough-luck 2-1 loss against Illinois-Springfield.
- Will face South Dakota Mines Friday in Billings.

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
- Scored two goals in two matches, but are 0-1-1 to start season.
- Fifth in the conference in saves per game (5.0).
- David Loeung and Niklas Schregel lead the team with a goal apiece.
- Will host Carroll on Friday.

NORTHWEST NAZARENE
- 3-0 start with 6-2 goals scored advantage.
- Ranked No. 13 in latest NSCAA Div. II Poll.
- Three players tied atop GNAC top scorers with 4 points.
- Goalkeeper Ryan Foo is tied for 3rd with a .778 save percentage.
- Will host Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday.

SAINT MARTIN’S
- A win, draw and loss in first three matches.
- 1 in the conference in saves (22).
- Leading scorer Kaleb Strawn is fifth in the conference (3 points).
- Will face Pacific on Saturday.

SEATTLE PACIFIC
- Have dominated offenses with two shots on goal allowed.
- 5 in latest NSCAA Div. II Poll.
- Three-straight shutouts to start the season.
- Won each game 1-0.
- Will face Cal State East Bay on Saturday.

SIMON FRASER
- Record of 1-1-1 start to the season.
- Won their last game 3-0 over Cal State San Bernardino.
- Adam Jones leads the league with 13 shots.
- Kyle Jones is tied for the league lead with four points on two goals.
- Next game will be conference matchup at Western Washington, Sept. 19.

WESTERN WASHINGTON
- Have allowed one goal in three games with 1-1-1 record.
- Jeremy Wentzel tied for league assist lead (2).
- Tyler Visten is second in saves (12) & goals against average (0.30).
- Ranked No. 7 in NSCAA Div. II West Region Poll
- Will face Notre Dame de Namur on Saturday.

LAST WEEK'S GAMES

THURS., SEPT. 3
SAINT MARTIN’S 1, UC SAN DIEGO 1: The Saints started their 2015 season with a 110 minute match, ending in a 1-1 tie. Saint Martin’s trailed early, giving up the first goal in the 17th minute, but rallied for the tying goal just before the end of regulation in the 84th minute. Goalkeeper Nick Rosato made seven saves in the tie, while his team managed five shots on goal. McKray Kohn scored the tying goal on a header for the Saint’s, assisted on a foul kick by Kaleb Strawn. Box Score

WESTERN WASHINGTON 1, CAL STATE LA 1: The Vikings traded second-half goals with CSULA to earn the tie in their first match of the season. Making the most of their opportunities, the Vikings scored their goal on two total shots on net, while goalkeeper Tyler Visten made seven saves. Sawyer Preston scored on a header to tie the game in the 66th minute for WWU, assisted by Jeremy Wentzel on a corner kick. Box Score

SONOMA STATE 3, SIMON FRASER 1: The Clan held an 11-10 shot advantage and 7-6 lead in shots on goal, but were not able to find the net enough to overcome the three goals by Sonoma State. The Clan fell behind early in the second minute and was never able to retie the game, scoring its first goal in the 67th minute on a goal by James Fraser, assisted by Calvin Opperman. Box Score

SEATTLE PACIFIC 1, CAL BAPTIST 0 (OT): The Falcons picked up where they left off in 2014 with stellar defense. The preseason poll favorites had trouble finding the net, but Ian Adams scored the golden goal in the 94th minute, assisted by Danny Olivas and Bryson Pavel. The Falcons allowed six shots with just one on net against goalkeeper Cody Lang, who picked up the shutout. Pavel led the team with five shots, three on net, as the team finished with 10 total shots. Box Score

FRI., SEPT. 4
NORTHWEST NAZARENE 1, HAWAII HILO 0: Alex Mitrovic, the GNAC Offensive Player of the Week, came through for the Crusaders, scoring the eventual game-winning goal in the 33rd minute of play. Jan Ilskens and Jaime Verdin picked up the assists on the goal. The Crusader defense was dominant against Hawaii Hilo, allowing just two shots, none of which needed to be saved by goalkeeper Ryan Foo. The Crusaders outshot their opponents 11-2 and 7-0 in shots on goal. Box Score

CONCORDIA 3, HUMBOLDT STATE 2: The Cavaliers were pushed in a tough matchup, but came away with a 3-2 win in their first match as a member of the GNAC. Erick Urzua and Matt Paine gave the Cavaliers an early 2-0 lead and Zak Naylor scored the third goal of the game in the 57th minute. Humboldt State led narrowly 18-14 in shots and 8-7 in shots on goal, but the Crusaders capitalized on their opportunities to start the season 1-0. Box Score

MARYVILLE 2, MARY 1: The Marauders got off to a quick start, with James Liddiard scoring the team’s lone goal in the 14th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Maryville answered before the end of the half to tie it up and then scored the game-winning goal in the 50th minute. The Marauders made the most of their shots, putting 12-of-13 on net, but could not be the Maryville goalkeeper, who made 11 saves. Ludvig Rhodin made five saves in the loss for the Maruaders. Box Score

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS 1, CAL STATE SAN MARCOS 1 (2OT): The Yellowjackets battled for 110 minutes to a draw in their first match of 2015. Niklas Schregal scored the first goal in the 28th minute to give the team a 1-0 lead, but CSUSM responded in the 69th minute to tie the match and eventually send it to overtime. Both teams played tight defense, with the CSUSM holding the narrow 4-2 shots on goal advantage. Tom Lohmann made three saves. Box Score

SAT., SEPT. 5
CAL STATE LOS ANGELES 4, SAINT MARTIN’S 0: The Saints took eight shots, but could only get two on net against a tough CSULA defense. The teams played scoreless through the first 21 minutes before CSULA got on the board. The Saints were a bounce away from getting back into the match, but two late goals in the last 15 minutes pushed the score up to 4-0. Nick Rosato made four saves and Kyle Witzel took a team-high four shots. Box Score

WESTERN WASHINGTON 2, UC SAN DIEGO 0: The Vikings picked up their first win after tying in match one of 2015. Adam Talley scored the game-winning goal in the 12th minute as the Vikings cruised to victory, allowing just one shot on net. Eleazar Galvan sealed the match with an 89th minute goal. The Vikings were outshot 10-9, but had a 5-1 advantage in shots on goal. Box Score

SIMON FRASER 1, CAL BAPTIST 1: In a lightning-shortened match, the Clan took a tie against opponent Cal Baptist. After almost 73 minutes, the match was called and made official. The Clan had the advantage in the match, winning the shot battle 20-7 and shots on goal 7-1. The one shot put on goal for Cal Baptist found its way to the back of the net in just the fifth minute. The Clan answered back less than two minutes later on a free-kick goal by Kyle Jones. Box Score

SEATTLE PACIFIC 1, CHICO STATE 0: The No. 8-ranked Falcons continued their defensive prowess, winning a tight 1-0 game. Danny Olivas scored the game-winner in the sixth minute, allowing the defense to shut the game down. The Falcons allowed nine shots with zero going on net. Goalkeeper Cody Lang did not need a save to pick up his second shutout. Seattle Pacific took 16 shots with three on goal. Box Score

NORTHWEST NAZARENE 2, HAWAII PACIFIC 1 (OT): The Crusaders stayed undefeated in the young season after Julio Castillo scored the golden goal in the 92nd minute on a 20-yard free kick. Alex Mitrovic put the Crusaders on the board first with his second goal in the seventh minute of play. The team held a narrow advantage 10-5 in shots and 5-4 in shots on goal, as Ryan Foo earned the win with three saves. Box Score

SUN., SEPT. 6
SAN FRANCISCO STATE 1, CONCORDIA 0: The Cavaliers hung tough against a strong San Francisco State team, but could not find the back of the net as the team dropped to 1-1. The game-winning goal came just before the end of the half in the 44th minute off of a free kick. Goalkeeper Arne Niermann made three saves, but received a red card just before the half. Box Score

ILLINOIS-SPRINGFIELD 2, MARY 1 (OT): The Marauders took a tough-luck loss in overtime to fall to 0-2. Holding a shot advantage of 17-12 and 10-8 on net, the Marauders ran into a hot goalkeeper in the loss. Aaron Brennan tied the match in the 31st minute, but Illinois-Springfield scored the golden goal exactly 71 minutes later. Ludvig Rhodin made six saves. Box Score

METRO STATE 4, MONTANA STATE BILLINGS 1: The Yellowjackets got off to a quick start with the first goal of the match in the sixth minute by David Loeung. Metro State pushed for the tying goal and eventually got it just past 28 minutes before grabbing the lead for good in the 58th minute. Two late goals pushed the score to 4-1. The Yellowjackets took 10 shots, but put just three on net. Goalkeeper Tom Lohmann made seven saves. Box Score

MON., SEPT. 7
SAINT MARTIN’S 3, CHICO STATE 2: The Saints grabbed their first win of the season at home in an offensive game. The Saints were outshot 25-11 for the match, but made the most of their chances. Kyle Witzel and Kaleb Strawn gave SMU an early 2-0 which they would never relinquish, despite a furious offensive barrage from Chico State. Nick Rosato made 10 saves, picking up his first win. Box Score

TUES., SEPT. 8
NORTHWEST NAZARENE 3, BYU-HAWAII 1: The Crusaders completed a perfect 3-0 Hawaiian trip with a 3-1 victory over BYU-Hawaii. The Crusaders took over 35 minutes to break the 0-0 tie, but were able to open the floodgates after the first goal. Abraham Placito scored two goals and Julio Castillo dished out two assists. Jan Ilskens put the match away in the 76th minute with a goal, sending the score to 3-0 at the time. The Crusaders had 12 shots, putting eight on net. Box Score

WED., SEPT. 9
SIMON FRASER 3, CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO 0: The Clan won its first match of the year handily in three tries. Kyle Jones scored the game-winner in the 38th minute and Calvin Opperman and Adam Jones tacked on late goals to seal the win. The Clan held a sizeable advantage in shots, 27-9, and shots on goal, 13-4. Brandon Watson made three saves in the shutout. Box Score

THURS., SEPT. 10
SEATTLE PACIFIC 1, NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR: The Falcons completed their third-straight shutout to begin the season, allowing just the second shot on net in three matches. Stephen MacDonald scored the lone goal in the 13th minute, allowing the defense to cruise to victory. The Falcons put just two shots on net, but it was enough to earn the road victory. Box Score

WESTERN WASHINGTON 1, CAL STATE EAST BAY 0: The Vikings scored a golden goal in the 104th minute to remain undefeated with a 2-0-1 record. Greyden Sauders potted the lone goal on a cross from Conner Pichette. The Vikings were outshot 18-8, but held an advantage in shots on goal 6-4. Tyler Visten had four saves in the shutout. Box Score