BURNABY, B.C. -- Under the Saturday night lights, Simon Fraser's men's soccer team took down the No. 7-ranked Seattle Pacific University Falcons 1-0 at the SFU Stadium at Terry Fox Field in Burnaby.

After almost two full calendar years since the two teams last met in 2019, SFU (6-5-0, 3-2-0 GNAC) was finally able to get payback for their previous loss. The Falcons (10-2-0, 4-1-0 GNAC) came into the game as top team in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings. After the result tonight, SFU and two other sides are just a game behind SPU atop the GNAC.

"First of all, Seattle Pacific has a tremendous team that is well-coached and there is a reason why they are having the year they are having," said SFU head coach Clint Schneider. "Massive credit to our lads to sticking with our game plan making things difficult for SPU. We know how special of a group of guys we have. We know that several of our guys are still working through the fact that they hadn't played a proper game in two years, but we are headed in the right direction. We are getting healthy, finally, and are excited for the second half of the GNAC season and looking forward to the much needed break in the schedule."

SFU's offence started the game on a mission, outshooting the Falcons 7-1 in the first half, led by Connor Glennon and Justus Meier with two apiece.

The men generated their first big break on offence in the 20th minute after a free kick was awarded to SFU following an Aidan Thrall yellow card.

Sophomore defender Niko Papakyriakopoulos took the kick and booted the ball straight to teammate Ali Zohar cutting across the top of the six-yard box. Zohar headed the ball across the goalmouth into the left side of the net for his first goal of the season. SFU took a 1-0 lead and brought it with them into halftime.
 

Coming out of the half, SFU looked to hold down its lead and end the Falcons' seven-game winning streak. Following a foul just outside the 18-yard box, Seattle Pacific's Aaron Stapleton took a free kick in the 68th minute, which flew just high of the SFU crossbar.

In the final 30 seconds of the game, SFU goalkeeper Aidan Bain had a big collision on a diving save which kept him down for a few minutes. Luckily, Bain got up on his power and finished his second straight match without letting the ball get past him. He recorded two saves on the night.

SFU had 13 shots towards goal, with six hitting the target. Seattle Pacific was held to seven total, and two on net.
 

Starting at right back for the first time this season, Tyler Dhillon earned praise from Schneider.

"Massive credit to Tyler Dhillon to once again step up in a big moment," remarked Schneider. "Tyler is a first-class person and a winner. Very proud of him and his mentality tonight."

Schneider's team has a bye next weekend, and will look to keep its two-game winning streak rolling as it takes on the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks on Thursday, Oct. 28. The contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the SFU Stadium at Terry Fox Field.

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