SEATTLE, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's soccer team got a big second-half goal from senior Albin Jonsson to spark a 1-0 shutout victory over rival and No. 12 nationally ranked Seattle Pacific University Saturday evening at Interbay Stadium.

SPU held a 17-7 advantage in total shots, but it took just one header from Jonsson in the 50th minute to put the Vikings up leading to the 1-0 scoreline.

WWU remained undefeated in GNAC play at 3-0-1 and extended its unbeaten streak in the last six games (5-0-1) to improve to 5-4-3 overall. The victory also moved the Vikings into sole possession of first place in the conference standings through the first two weeks of the slate with 10 points.

"It was another great rivalry game with SPU. I was impressed with our teams energy throughout the match and thought they did a great job getting the result in a very difficult setting to play," said WWU head coach Greg Brisbon.

After a scoreless first half the Vikings broke through less than five minutes into the second half connecting on a goal off a corner kick. Freshman Jose Perez lifted his corner to the far post where senior Joar Tidblom headed it back across the box finding Jonsson for the pinball header goal to go up 1-0. The goal was the third for Jonsson this season and 19th of his career to move into a tie for 10th place with Anthony Dean (2016-17) in WWU history.

The game-winning goal was his ninth as a Viking, tying Ryan Hopp (2003-04), Gibson Bardsley (2007-10) and Andrew Weishaar (2010-13) for the most during the NCAA era dating back to 1998.

WWU's defense held the Falcons (6-2-3, 1-1-1 GNAC) off the scoreboard with junior goalkeeper Charlie Dyer tying his single-game career high with six saves. Seniors Diego Lopez, Krubelle Tesfaye and Sebastiano Silvetti, and sophomore Reiley Buri-Brown logged the full 90 to help hand the Falcons their first loss since opening night to snap a nine-game unbeaten streak.

The Vikings (5-4-3, 3-0-1 GNAC) return to play next week with one game, hosting Simon Fraser Saturday night after an off day Thursday. The complete 2025 schedule can be viewed online via wwuvikings.com/25_MSOC.

Western Washington 1, Seattle Pacific 0

Date: October 11, 2025

Field: Interbay Stadium   Site: Seattle, WA

Attendance: 227

Goals by period                 1  2    Tot

--------------------------------------------

Western Washington............  0  1  -  1

#12 Seattle Pacific...........  0  0  -  0

SCORING SUMMARY:

1.     49:53        WWU        Jonsson (Perez, Tidblom)

Shots: SPU 17, WWU 7

Shots on Goal: SPU 6, WWU 2

Saves: WWU 6 (Dyer - 6), SPU 1 (Lanier - 1)

Corners: WWU 5, SPU 2

Fouls: WWU 20, SPU 12

Offsides: WWU 0, SPU 0

Kits: WWU (Light Blue), SPU (Black)

Updated Records: WWU (5-4-3, 3-0-1), SPU (6-2-3, 1-1-1)

Here is a look at Western's record breakdown for the 2025 season:

Here is a look at the GNAC Men's Soccer standings following Saturday's games to conclude the second weekend of the 2025 conference slate. The top three teams in the conference standings at the end of the regular season will qualify for the inaugural GNAC Championships held November 13-15 in Burnaby, BC hosted by Simon Fraser University. Updated conference standings, schedules, results and statistics can be found online at GNACsports.com.