SEATTLE, Wash. – Junior keeper Kyle Verle faced 12 shots, four on-goal and turned them all away as the Humboldt State men's soccer team and the Seattle Pacific Falcons played to a 0-0 tie in each team's season opener.  It was the fifth shutout of Verle's HSU career.

Box Score

“I'm really proud of the performance of the team, especially from where we were last year at this time,” head coach Christian Johnson said.  “I'm thrilled with the way we have built on last years finish and have continued to get after it.”

Through 90 minutes of play each team had 11 shots, of which four were on frame.  HSU senior Josh Suggs' had four of his six shots on the night during regulation play.  Junior Brian Holmes added three shots, two of which came in regulation time.

“The scoreboard didn't reflect what actually happened on the field,” Johnson said.   “We had the better run of play throughout the game.  Our best opportunity to score came on a header by Michael Schmidt in the second half.  Their keeper made a spectacular save.  That would have been the game winner.” 

Yellow and red cards marred the second half.  A total of three yellow and two red were handed out.  SPU's Drew Williams was sent off in the 65th minute and Lumberjack Ray Lind followed him at the 72:54 mark, after getting his second yellow of the half.

“I think both coaches would agree that it was being called very tight,” Johnson said.  “The punishments were a bit harsher than the crimes.”

In the first overtime, each team got one shot off, but in the second HSU out shot Seattle Pacific 3-to-0.  However, they couldn't take advantage of their opportunities and after 110 minutes the game ended in a 0-0 tie.

“We didn't get the result, but I'm really please with the performance and excited about what we are doing,” Johnson added.

The Lumberjacks wrap up this two-game road trip on Monday, September 6, in Bellingham, Wash. as they face off against the Vikings of Western Washington.  Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Humboldt State (0-0-1) vs. Seattle Pacific (0-0-1)
Date: Sep 03, 2010 Attendance: 439
Weather: low 70s

Goals by period       1      2      OT      O2      Total
Humboldt State         0      0       0         0         0
Seattle Pacific           0      0       0         0         0

CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS
HSU       #3 SCHMIDT, Michael (Yellow card) 3:31
SPU       #8 Brand, Ryan (Yellow card) 55:04
SPU       #5 Schultz, Tyler (Yellow card) 62:13
HSU       #20 LIND, Ray (Yellow card) 63:33
SPU       #12 Williams, Drew (Red card) 64:24
HSU       #20 LIND, Ray (Red card) 72:54

Offsides: Humboldt State 4, Seattle Pacific 2.