• 2009 Gonzaga Nike Soccer Classic

• Cummlative Statistics 

• Summer Camp Info

• Soccer Times Top 25 Poll

• NSCAA Top 25 Poll

• U.S. Soccer Federation

Oct. 29, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

TIME MIGHT BE RUNNING OUT: Gonzaga University heads to the Bay Area this week to face Santa Clara University Friday night and the University of San Francisco Sunday afternoon. With only five matches remaining in the West Coast Conference season time might be running out on the Bulldogs to get back into the WCC chase. Gonzaga (2-4-1 for 7 points) finds itself 11 points point league-leading University of San Diego (6-1-0 for 18 points) and six points behind runner-up USF (4-2-1 for 13 points). The Bulldogs have three of their final five matches on the road beginning with this weekend's trek, the Bulldogs returning home next weekend to host USD and Loyola Marymount University. The Bulldogs conclude the regular season Nov. 16 at Saint Mary's College.

BULLDOGS DROP MATCH TO PORTLAND: In its only match of the week last Friday, Gonzaga University dropped a 2-1 home decision to the University of Portland. The Pilots' Patrick Jurney scored from close range when a throw-in went through the hands of Bulldog keeper Scott Barnum and landed at the feet of Jurney for the easy goal at 87:20. The Bulldogs had not lost to Portland in the last seven matches, going 4-0-3 in that stretch including a victory earlier this year in Portland. The Bulldogs had tied the match at 68:55 as sophomore Nick Love, back in action with a cast on his right hand, scored his first goal of the season on a rebound from 12 yards out that caught the far post. Tye Perdido took the initial shot that was saved by Pilot keeper Austin Guerrero but the rebound went to Love on the right wing and he beat Guerrero to the far post.

STOP THE SKID: After getting off to a 4-2-1 start, Gonzaga University will be out to stop a skid that has seen the Bulldogs go winless in their last four matches (0-3-1) and have just one win to show for their last seven outings (1-5-1). Gonzaga has just six goals over the last seven matches while surrendering 12 goals. Gonzaga has been outscored 23-17 this season after allowing just 15 goals in its NCAA season last year.

PERDIDO GETS ASSIST: Tye Perdido picked up his first assist of the season with last Friday's helper that saw Nick Love pick up his first goal of the season. Perdido has six goals and an assist this season for a team-leading 13 points, the six goals also pacing the squad. He has 13 career goals and five career assists for 31 points.

CLEARED TO PLAY: Sophomore Nick Love returned to action after missing last week's match after suffering a broken thumb on the Bulldogs southern California trip. He was put in the hard cast last Thursday and cleared to play with padding on the cast. He made the most of the opportunity, netting the equalizer last Friday in a match the Bulldogs eventually lost 2-1 to the University of Portland.

HALLOWEEN DATES: October 31 seems to have had its share of tricks rather than treats for Gonzaga University's men's soccer team over the years. Friday's Halloween Night matchup at Santa Clara University will be the eighth such contest in Bulldog history since 1980, the first year the Bulldogs fielded a team. The Zags are just 2-5-0 on Halloween. The last time Gonzaga played on the ghoulish day was 2005 when the Bulldogs took a 3-2 road win at the University of San Diego. Gonzaga also tallied three goals in its only other Halloween victory, a 3-1 decision in 1992 at Loyola Marymount University.

BULLDOGS VS. BRONCOS: Gonzaga University's last win in its last seven matches was a 2-1 overtime victory over Santa Clara University Oct. 5 at Gonzaga Soccer Field. Ben Funkhouser got the decisive goal at 97:33. The Broncos lead the overall series 10-7-3. The defending West Coast Conference champions went 10-0-2 in WCC and 16-2-4 overall last year in advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. SCU is in last place in the West Coast Conference at 1-3-3 for 6 points.

BULLDOGS VS. DONS: Gonzaga University suffered a 1-0 home loss to the University of San Francisco in their first meeting this season, giving the Dons a 10-9-1 series lead. USF was 1-5-1 entering West Coast Conference play this season, but is off to a 4-2-1 league start. Gonzaga had won three straight matches in the series prior to this year's loss, including last year's meeting at USF by a 2-0 count.

GAMETRACKER, VIDEO AVAILABLE: Gametracker, a function of web site provider CBS Collegesports, and live video will be available for all Gonzaga University home matches and select Bulldog road contests this season. To follow Gonzaga University via Gametracker log on to http://wwww.gozags.com and go the Gametracker link in the schedule portion of the site. The video is subscription based off the All-Access portion of the website.

THE THORARINSSON TALE OF THE TAPE: Gonzaga University head coach Einar Thorarinsson is 115-109-22 in his 14th season with the Bulldogs. His overall record is 234-161-35 that includes nine seasons across town at Whitworth College. He picked up his 100th Gonzaga win in 2006 with a 3-0 home win at Saint Mary's College. After going 3-10-2 in his first season of 1995, the Bulldogs have had winning seasons in six of the last 10 seasons under Thorarinsson. His teams led the West Coast Conference in wins with a 14-4-0 record in 1997 and 12-4-2 mark in 1998, capturing WCC co-championships in each of those seasons. The Bulldogs were 9-5-2 in 2001, making their inaugural College Cup appearance. In 2005 Gonzaga went to the final match of the season with a chance to win the WCC title. He was accorded his third WCC Coach of the Year honor in 2005 to go with similar honors won in 1996-97 as he was the first coach in Gonzaga history to receive back-to-back WCC Coach of the Year accolades. He is the fourth winningest coach overall in WCC contests with 47 wins and is second among active coaches, Seamus McFadden of the University of San Diego atop both lists with 79 wins.