Sept. 16, 2009
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Facing its last test before league play begins, the Western Washington University men's soccer team plays host to Simon Fraser University on Saturday (7 p.m.) at Orca Field on the Whatcom Community College campus.
The defending champion Vikings begin Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at home on Thursday, Sept. 24 (7 p.m.) against Montana State Billings. They are the unanimous preseason pick of the GNAC coaches to win the title.
The Vikings, 3-4-0, are playing nine of their first 11 games at home. Earlier this week, they split their only two road contests during that stretch, blanking Mesa State 3-0 and being shut out 4-0 by National Soccer Coaches Association of America/NCAA Division II No.20-ranked Grand Canyon, 4-0.
In all, three of Western's four losses this season have been to Top 25-rated teams.
The Vikings are led in scoring by sophomore midfielder Kellan Brown (Tacoma/Bellarmine), who has four goals and one assist. Sophomore Oscar Jimenez (Mount Vernon) is second with three goals and one assist.
Senior goalkeeper Cameron Copps-Tilley (Vancouver/Fort Vancouver) picked up his first shutout of the season against Mesa State. That put his three-year career total at eight, fifth among Western's career leaders.
Western's Travis Connell (10th year, 97-91-11) is three wins shy of becoming the program's first coach to reach 100 career victories.
Simon Fraser is off to a 6-2-0 start, winning its last two games. That included a 9-1 victory over Menlo College in which Alex Hanne, a transfer from Calgary, tied a school record by scoring six goals.
MSUB is 4-2-0 (entertains Seattle Pacific in GNAC counter on Saturday and Jamestown on Sunday). The Yellowjackets are led by senior Sam Charles, who holds GNAC records for goals (46), points (103) and game-winning goals (17). His four-year career totals are 53 goals and 119 points.
This season, Charles ranks fifth nationally with eight goals (three game winners) and 18 points. He has scored a goal in seven straight games, one short of his league record.
MSUB goalkeeper Matt Mitchell has a 0.83 goals against average with two shutouts. He has allowed just five goals and made 28 saves.
