Seattle University Captures Men's Soccer Far West Title With 4-3 Shootout Win Over Cal State L.A.
November 4, 2006

Carson, CA – After 90 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods deadlocked in a 3-3 tie, Seattle University reserve keeper Chris Sorensen tipped Derrek Horn’s attempt just over the crossbar with the Far West Title on the line, giving the Redhawks the 4-3 shootout win and a ticket to the NCAA quarterfinals.

The regional champions, Seattle Redhawks, pose for a photo after their narrow win over Cal State L.A. Photo by Michael Foo

The Redhawks wasted little time in notching the game’s first score as John Fishbaugher went top shelf for his 4th goal of the year at 1:58 off a direct kick, a shot so blinding the CSULA goalkeeper, Patrick Fry, failed to move.

That’s where the game remained until 35:11, when Golden Eagle Jason Swope was tackled from behind inside the box, resulting in a penalty kick. Morten Marthinsen, the 2005 CCAA MVP, did the honors, directing his shot far post as SU keeper Jordan Jennings guessed near, knotting the game at 1-1. The goal was Marthinsen’s team-leading 12th of the season.

The score remained tied after the break until midway through the second half when Dennis Idrissa took a cross from Derrek Horn, and lofted a 12-yard header over Jennings far post for the 2-1 lead at 71:34, Idrissa’s 8th goal of the season.

SU’s Luis Games made a run for the equalizer in the 78th minute by dribbling through two CSULA defenders, but his left footed blast sailed high of the goal, keeping the CCAA runners-up ahead.

The Redhawks did not fail on their next opportunity, however, when Hans Esterhuizen took a rebounded shot and drilled his shot past a diving Fry for the game-tying goal at 80:38, his 3rd of the year.

SU capitalized on that momentum just three minutes later when a Redhawk was taken down by Fry in the box, resulting in a penalty kick at 83:34, which Pat Thomas converted for the 3-2 lead.

That lead didn’t last long, however, as Marthinsen connected for his second goal of the game, taking a cross from AJ Matthews and heading a shot that trickled just across the goal line to tie the contest at 3-3 at the 86-minute mark, sending the game into overtime.

After playing two scoreless extra sessions, Sorensen was summoned into the game for Jennings, and made his presence felt by stoning AJ Matthews on CSULA’s second attempt. After SU’s Elliot Fauske gave the Redhawks a 4-3 advantage with the Redhawks’ fifth attempt, Sorensen made his final save of the night a memorable one, sending Seattle onto the NCAA Quarterfinals.

Jennings stopped five shots for SU, while Fry tallied four saves in the game as CSULA ends its season at 13-8-2.

A physical game, the two teams were whistled for 44 fouls and nine cautions in the contest.

CSULA head coach Chris Chamides:
“I’m really proud of my guys. I have a lot of respect for what Seattle did today and I think both teams battled really hard and it went to PKs. This was a good young team and we did very well. We’re proud of our guys but we won’t be thinking about next year for a while. Hopefully we turned the corner this year with our program and our future’s bright.”

SU head coach Brad Agoos:
“Obviously, an exciting game. I think we played well, had some chances, had some good performances from our captain Hans Esterhuizen and you give them credit. In the PKs, it comes down to a big save and our keeper Chris Sorensen, a senior, came up huge. We’re looking forward to the quarterfinals, and we’ll just wait to see who we face.”

The Far West All-Regional Tournament Team:
Seattle University
Eric Forner – D
Hans Esterhuizen – D
John Fishbaugher - MF
Elliot Fauske – MF
CSULA
Rufino Franco – MF
Patrick Thurston – D
Morten Marthinsen – F
CSUDH
Alberto Garcia – D
Jesse Graham – MF
SPU
Jeff Hallenback – MF
Colin Rigby – F

Oustanding Offensive Player – Morten Marthinsen – CSULA

Outstanding Defensive Player – Hans Esterhuizen - SU