Box Score

SEATTLE, Wash. – A magical season came to an end Saturday night in Seattle for the Crusaders.

Danny Olivas booted home a penalty-kick goal for host Seattle Pacific, breaking a tie and lifting the Falcons to a 2-1 win over the Northwest Nazarene men's soccer team in the second round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament at Interbay Stadium.

"We feel aggrieved by the way it ended, but after that emotion, what I really feel is pride," said NNU head men's soccer coach Coe Michaelson.

The win ends a season that saw the Crusaders (15-4-1 overall) earn a variety of firsts, including a first-ever trip to nationals and a first-ever win at nationals.

Riding the momentum of a 1-0 opening-round victory over Simon Fraser on Thursday, the Crusaders looked to upend the top-seeded Falcons (16-1-2) on their own turf.

But it was SPU that struck early as Jordan Kollars scored 9 minutes, 48 seconds into the contest.

The Crusaders pushed the attack and finally found the equalizer when Fredy Razo took a long pass forward from Julio Castillo and Razo beat Falcons goalkeeper Cody Lang with 2:29 left until halftime, tying the game, 1-1.

But the decisive blow came following a foul in the Crusader goal box, giving Olivas a penalty kick he converted for the game-winner with 22:58 remaining.

Despite outshooting SPU 21-11 in the contest, the Crusaders couldn't find another equalizer and saw their historic run come to an end as Lang made seven saves in goal, preserving the win for the Falcons.

"We played exceptionally well tonight, but Cody had five incredible saves and kept them in the game," Michaelson said.

Ending a historic run that saw NNU record the most wins in a single season in program history, and earn a first-ever Top 25 national ranking – No. 22 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of American Oct. 7 poll – along with a first-ever trip to nationals and a first-ever win at the national tournament.

"Our returners have an experience to build on as we look to the future," Michaelson said, "but most importantly, our four seniors (Alfredo E. Ontiveros, Razo, Juan Perez and Daniel Day) have taken us to new heights and have done so much for our program. They should feel immense pride in their accomplishments."

Ontiveros finished with four saves in goal for the Crusaders before leaving the game with an injury and being replaced by Ryan Foo.