The Seattle University men's soccer team is through the first half of its spring season, splitting its first two matches with upcoming games coming up against the University of Washington, Seattle Pacific, the Seattle Wolves, and the Seattle Sounders.
On April 6, Seattle University played well but eventually fell to the A-League Sounders, 4-2, in Everett. Last Saturday, the team defeated former conference foe Western Washington, 5-1, at Championship Field. While it's important to earn victories along the way, the coaching staff is primarily focused on keeping the team sharp and getting the players, especially the younger ones, ready for the upcoming challenges.
"I think this team has a great work ethic and character, which is good because those same qualities will be tested this spring as well as during the upcoming fall season as we embark on the transition to Division I. Saying that, I am confident these seniors as well as the younger players are the ones to take us to the next level," said head coach Brad Agoos.
This Saturday, April 19, Seattle University will head across town to face the University of Washington at the Husky Soccer Field beginning at 1 p.m. The Huskies are coming off back-to-back trips to the second round of the NCAA Division I Tournament. On Saturday, April 26, the Redhawks will have two home matches at Championship Field, first facing Seattle Pacific at 10:30 a.m. before a match against the Seattle Wolves at 4 p.m. The spring schedule concludes with another contest against the Seattle Sounders, this time at the Starfire Soccer Complex in Tukwila on Tuesday, May 6, at 4 p.m.
"We always look forward to facing the University of Washington during the spring season, and I think this year's match will be a great test to see where we are as a program at the moment," Agoos said.
The Seattle University men's soccer program is coming off a 15-3-1 season which included its sixth GNAC title in seven years and its third appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament over the past four seasons. The men's soccer team begins the transition to Division I next fall and is one of two SU sports that will be eligible for NCAA tournament berths beginning in fall 2010.