Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. --- Western Washington University took an early lead, but goals in the final 26 minutes gave nationally ranked Seattle Pacific University a 2-1 triumph on Thursday, Oct. 1, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's soccer contest before a crowd of 740 at Harrington Field on the WWU campus.

The Vikings, who suffered their first home loss in four contests this season, fell to 3-3-2 overall and 1-2-1 in the GNAC.

SPU, ranked No.7 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II Top 25 Poll, improved to 6-0-2 overall and 2-0-2 GNAC. The Falcons entered the week as one of just 16 unbeaten teams in Division II.

The Vikings opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Kurtis Pederson (Sr., Puyallup/Bellarmine Prep) played a long ball into the penalty area. Adam Talley (Jr., Newman Lake/East Valley) battled a Falcon defender for the ball, fell down, and while sitting in the ground, played a pass back to onrushing Conner Pichette (Jr., Tacoma/Wilson), who finished low to the left side from 15 yards out.

It was just the second goal allowed by SPU this season.

"It's very disappointing when you're up 1-0 against a quality opponent and lose," said Western coach Greg Brisbon. "We needed to be better all over the field if we want to beat quality teams like SPU."

The Falcons equalized in the 65th minute, as Jan Adams took a long pass from Luke Postma and finished from five yards out. The game-winner came with just under 10 minutes remaining, as Mori Tsuchiya took the ball near the center circle, beat two defenders on the dribble and scored from just inside the penalty area.

SPU had a 15-10 edge in shots, including a 6-2 advantage in the second half. Goalkeeper Tyler Visten (Jr., Mount Vernon) had six saves for the Vikings.

WWU entertains Saint Martin's University in a GNAC counter on Saturday, Oct. 3 (7 p.m.).

Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015
Bellingham, Wash., Harrington Field, WWU campus

Seatle Pacific 2, Western Washington 0, Seattle Pacific 1

Scoring - 1. WWU, Conner Pichette (Adam Talley, Kurtis Pederson), 6:48;
2. SPU, Jan Adams (Luke Postma) 64:02;
3. SPU, Mori Tsuchiya 80:22.

Shots - WWU 10, SPU 15
Saves - WWU 6 (Tyler Visten 6), SPU 2 (Cody Lang 2)
Corner kicks - WWU 2, SPU 5
Fouls - WWU 20, SPU 12
Attendance: 740