LACEY, Wash. – Seattle Pacific struck quick and decisive against the Saints, scoring two first half goals in their 3-1 decision on Thursday afternoon.
The Falcons' leading scorer Titus Grant provided the offense in the first half, scoring his first goal on a penalty kick, and the second on a flick to the left post. After 32 minutes of action, SPU led 2-0.
Saint Martin's trimmed into the lead before halftime when
Brandon Madsen played forward to
Sebastian Navarro, and he beat his defender for an open opportunity. Navarro blasted a ball from 30 yards out to the right post for his second goal of the year.
However, the final dagger came in the 59th minute when Seattle Pacific scored off a Saints' deflection in the box. Saint Martin's was forced to the play the final 61 minutes
"Mike Holmgren, the great ex Seahawks coach talks about "screwy things" that can happen at certain points in games," said head coach
Rob Walker. Firstly, we have to give SPU full credit for the result. For us, the ability to execute in normal times and in times when we were playing a man down, really contributed to our lack of success in taking our potential in attack and converting it meaningful chances. The guys played with a lot of resolve, but executing skill under pressure when things aren't going well for you was the missing piece today."
The Saints were outshot 14-9, with Seattle Pacific landing nine on target to the Saints' two.
Dylan Shaw, who got the start in goal, made six saves on the day. Saint Martin's led in the corners category, taking eight to SPU's five.
"Many of our fans and players didn't agree with some calls too which could have changed the game in one way or another," Walker said. "As we only recruit the players here and not the officials you have to convince yourself that everything evens out in the end and getting on to control the controllable. That's what makes the "screwy" part of the game; we can't get influenced by what we can't control, but simply adapt and move on. A good life lesson for the men playing at this Benedictine institution."
The Saints get the weekend off and hit the road for a four game road trip, starting with Northwest Nazarene on Halloween at 6:00 p.m. Live stats and video of the match will be available on smusaints.com.
