Tuesday, September 30, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. – Two GNAC squads are starting to solidify themselves as the teams to beat after a few drama filled matches in last week’s conference games.

Seattle Pacific and Northwest Nazarene swept its weekend series, with the help of a few late goals, and are both 3-0 in conference play.

Seattle Pacific scored in the 70th minute of Thursday’s match against Mary and needed double overtime to knock off the Marauders. SPU scored with 49 seconds left to play for the 2-1 victory. The Falcons defeated South Dakota Mines 5-0 Saturday.

On Saturday, NNU traveled to Simon Fraser where it played to a 2-0 halftime deficit before tying the game and forcing overtime. The Crusaders scored with seven seconds left in the second overtime to take the victory. Northwest Nazarene beat Western Washington on Thursday 2-0. 

The last remaining unbeaten GNAC teams have nine points and six overall wins apiece.

These two teams hold the top two spots in every major defensive category in the conference, such as goals against average, saves, shutouts and goals allowed.

Combined the two teams have allowed three goals this season, all from this weekend’s matches, which is less than the third teams on the list which have allowed four goals. Each also rank in the Top 40 nationally in save percentage.

Saint Martin’s also fared well this weekend earning its first two victories of the season. SMU, now third in the conference, beat Mary and South Dakota Mines 3-1.

Montana State Billings saw its first win of the season on Saturday too as the Yellowjackets beat Western Washington 1-0. On Thursday MSUB scored two second half goals to tie Simon Fraser in Burnaby.

Simon Fraser, which lost a heartbreaker to NNU, earned another point in the GNAC standings with the tie.

SFU highlights the big matches this week as it travels to third-place Saint Martin’s and first-place Seattle Pacific.