The second seed Seattle University men’s soccer team could not overcome an early offensive explosion by third seed Sonoma State, as the Seawolves scored two first half goals and held on for a 2-0 victory Friday evening in the first round of the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Championship at Toro Stadium.
(19-3-1) controlled the action from the start, forcing goalie Jordan Jennings to make two saves in the first seven minutes of the match. After earning a corner kick, Steven Browne sent the ball into the box, from where Scott Preckwinkle sent a header past to give the Seawolves a 1-0 lead 11 minutes into the contest.
Browne and Preckwinkle connected once again on a corner kick situation in the 27th minute, as Browne’s kick went to the opposite side, and Preckwinkle beat to the near post to extend ’s lead to 2-0. The Seawolves had five shots on goal and four corner kicks in the first half, while was held to two shots on goal and one corner kick.
turned up the offensive pressure in the second half, but goalie Brook Johnson was up to the task, making four of his six saves after halftime. finished the match with five saves, including a save on CCAA Player of the Year Andrew Bailey in the 71st minute.
Earlier this season defeated , 2-1, on Aug. 26 during the Seawolf Soccer Classic, but the Redhawks could not repeat that performance. will move on to face the winner of the Cal State Dominguez Hills/Grand Canyon match for the regional title on Sunday.
finishes the 2007 season with a 15-3-1 record and its sixth GNAC title over the past seven seasons. The men’s soccer program will join the rest of the athletic department in beginning the transition to Division I, playing a mixed schedule during the reclassification year next season.