Falcons Look For Another Big Season -- Spu Soccer Team Closing In On Mccrath's 500Th Victory
Five NCAA Division II Championships. A 19-4 record at home over the past two seasons. A No. 5 national ranking to start this season. Back-to-back shutout victories over teams ranked in the top 25 thus far in 1999 - both on the road.
The numbers don't lie. The Seattle Pacific University Falcons are steeped in soccer tradition. And still another milestone is at hand.
Coach Cliff McCrath, in his 30th season, seeks his 500th career victory, and the Falcons are likely to get that distinction for him by the latter part of this month.
McCrath, 63 (and going on 14, he says), downplayed the milestone in favor of emphasizing his team's strengths and the Falcon winning tradition.
"We have a handful of elite-level players and good camaraderie," McCrath said. "We've had a lot of new kids come in, and this group of veterans treats the new guys like they're older guys.
"There's a real family connection with this program. It's a (New York) Yankee-type tradition. . . ."
Yet the Falcons will need more than mystique, at least for the early part of the season. SPU is without Dana Garner, a senior and former Pacific West Conference Player of the Year who may have to redshirt this year because of injury. Garner, who had surgery to repair broken vertebrae in his upper back after a car accident in July, is working out lightly with the team but has not fully recovered.
The Falcons' leading scorer in 1998, junior Vadim Tolstolutsky, is trying to come back from a leg injury suffered earlier this summer in a scrimmage. He, too, is practicing but said he doesn't expect to be back until the end of the month, at the earliest.
"I've been recovering well, and I hope to get better," Tolstolutsky said. "Emotionally, it's been really hard to admit to the fact that I'll be out for a month."
Senior goalkeeper Johann Noetzel said the injuries hurt the team, but also give other Falcons a chance to elevate their games.
"It's an opportunity for everyone else to step up and perform," Noetzel said. "We don't bother with the rankings. We just have to come out ready to play and win."
SPU (2-0) will play its home opener tonight against unranked Sonoma State in the Diadora Far West Classic at Interbay Stadium. The Falcons also take on No. 18 Chico State on Saturday at 4 p.m.
A look at other Seattle teams:
Washington men
Coach: Dean Wurzberger (7th season).
Rank: No. 11 in National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, No. 12 in SoccerTimes poll.
1998 record: 16-4 overall, 8-1 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Pacific Division.
1999 record: 0-0-1 (tied Gonzaga on Wednesday).
Top returnees: F Rees Bettiger (Sr.), GK James Dickinson (Sr.), D Morgan McCoy (Sr.), F Wes Hart (Sr.), M-F Kai Carroll (Jr.).
Top newcomers: M Kyle Fukuchi (Fr., Haleiwa, HI); M Troy Ready (Fr., Spokane); D Zac Tallman (Fr., Gig Harbor); GK Chad Olesen (Fr., Issaquah).
Season outlook: Loaded with local talent, Huskies look to return to NCAA tournament for fifth straight year and make it past opening round for first time.
This weekend: At University of Portland Adidas Invitational, vs. Evansville tomorrow, 4 p.m.; vs. Marquette on Monday, noon. Home opener: Sept. 24 vs. San Jose State.
Washington women
Coach: Lesle Gallimore (sixth year).
1998 record: 10-9-1, 6-3 in Pac-10 (fourth place).
Top returnees: F Tami Bennett (Jr.), GK Leslie Weeks (Jr.), D Natalie Campbell (Sr.), M Theresa Wagner (Jr.), M Malia Arrant (Jr.), F Jana Wilson (Sr.), F Caroline Putz (So.).
Top newcomers: GK-F Hope Solo (Fr., Richland); M Megan McKinstry (Fr., Englewood, Colo.); M-D Vanessa Pierce (Fr., Woodinville).
Season outlook: Husky women look to make fifth NCAA tournament appearance in six years with nine starters returning, including Bennett, a first-team All-Pac-10 selection in 1998.
This weekend: Today at No. 10-ranked Clemson, 4 p.m.; Sun., at Georgia, 11 a.m. Home opener: Sept. 10 vs. No. 1 Santa Clara.
Seattle University men
Coach: Pete Fewing (12th year).
1998 record: 16-6-3, 12-3-1 in Northwest Conference.
Top returnees: M Manuel Ruiz (Jr.), GK Jeremiah Doyle (So.).
Top newcomers: F Joe Hubley (Fr., Helena, Mont.).
Season outlook: NAIA Chieftains look to continue winning ways after advancing to national semifinal in 1998.
This weekend: Seattle U. Tournament - tomorrow vs. Birmingham Southern, 2:15 p.m.; Sun., vs. Lindsey Wilson, 2:15 p.m.
Seattle U. women
Coach: Julie Woodward (second year).
1998 record: 12-6-3, 9-4-3 in NWC.
Top returnees: F Trisha Tateyama (Sr.), D-M Lindsey Leeder (So.), F Elizabeth Dolan (Sr.).
Top newcomers: M Sheryl Williams (Jr.-Tr., Kent); F Nichole Sauvegeau (Fr., Renton).
Season outlook: Lady Chieftains hope to advance past regional final and into NAIA national tournament.
This weekend: Evergreen State tournament (Olympia) - vs. Albertson's College tomorrow, 11 a.m.; vs. Cascade on Sunday, 3 p.m..