Seattle Pacific Rallies to Hand No. 3 Toros Men First Loss
October 5, 2002

Courtesy Seattle Pacific Sports Information

SEATTLE (Oct. 5) - Cory Janzen's goal with just over 10 minutes remaining capped the comeback and lifted Seattle Pacific University to a 2-1 win over previously unbeaten Cal State Dominguez Hills in a non-conference men's soccer game at Interbay Stadium Saturday night.

The Falcons (6-3-1), who were the clear aggressor throughout, trailed briefly before Jeremy Yerkes connected on a free kick with 19 minutes to go. Janzen then unleashed a 12-yard blast into the roof of the net to give SPU its first win over a top-10 team in three years.

The Toros (10-1-1) entered the game ranked No. 3 in NCAA Division II. For Seattle Pacific, the victory was vital for its postseason hopes.

After allowing Dominguez Hills a clear chance in the opening minutes--Eduardo Serrano was saved at point-blank range by SPU goalie Jimmy Ward--the defense was not seriously threatened.

It was a penalty kick which resulted in only the Toros' third shot of the game and Victor Guerrero buried the shot in the right corner, past Ward at 66:33.

Less than four minutes later, Yerkes hit a swerving 20-yard free kick into the upper right corner to knot the score. It was his fourth goal and only the second allowed by CSDH in the last nine games.

The winning goal was set-up by Michael Brkich's run into the right side of the box. His low pass found Michael Schefter, whose shot was blocked but not held by CSDH keeper Javier Barragan. The loose ball caromed to Jazen, who quickly converted for his fourth goal and third in the last four games.

Seattle Pacific finished with an 11-4 advantage in shots, with Barragan required to make seven saves. Grant Falco nearly added an insurance goal with 20 seconds left but his kick skimmed off the crossbar. Yerkes had forced Barragan to go down nad steer his first-half volley around the right post. In the second half, Ross Vaillancourt and Falco each tested Barragan with hard drives.

CSDH plays Monday at Western Washington, while the Falcons resume play Monday night when they host Montana State Billings.

Scoring-
1, CSDH, Guerrero (penalty kick) 66:33;
2, SPU, Yerkes (unassisted) 70:32;
3, SPU, Janzen (Schefter, Brkich) 79:59.

Shots-CSDH 4, SPU 11.

Saves-CSDH (Barragan) 7, SPU (Ward) 1.

Corner kicks-CSDH 4, SPU 4.

Fouls-CSDH 33, SPU 27.

Offside-CSDH 2, SPU 2.

Cautions-Gonzales-Pinto, CSDH, 33:29; Leary, CSDH, 41:20; Morfin, CSDH, 42:08; Schefter, SPU, 42:52; CSDH bench, 70:32.