NU's Joel Pelton scored a game high two goals and two assists.
Eagles Big First Half Defeats Oregon Tech
KIRKLAND, Wash. – Northwest University scored five first half goals to defeat Oregon Tech, 5-2, in a high scoring Cascade Conference game this afternoon. The Eagles were led by Joel Pelton’s two goals and two assists. Six of the game’s seven goals were scored in the first half which also saw 6 yellow cards, 16 fouls and 20 shots.
Northwest U. scored just 2 minutes and 35 seconds into the game as Joel Pelton found the goal net from 8 yards out on a double assist from teammates Edgar Esquivel and Taylor Young. It was Young’s turn in the 13th minute as he took Adam Loga’s pass 7 yards out in the center of the goal mouth to score, making it 2-0. Joel Pelton also had an assist on the play.
Joel Pelton scored his second goal of the game at the 30:40 mark putting the Eagles up 3-0. Alfredo Martinez had the assist on the goal. Drew Jensen made it 4-0 just 1 minute and 24 seconds later as he took a long pass up the right side and rocketed a shot into the left corner of the net from 15 yards out on the right side.
Oregon Tech’s Victor Corona got the Owls on the scoreboard in the 33rd minute with his unassisted goal as he beat a NU defender and scored from 14 yards out in the center of the field.
NU’s James Kerr built the Northwest lead to 5-1 with 6:40 left in the half as he put one past the OIT goalkeeper from the left center 14 yards out. Joel Pelton notched his second assist for the day on the score.
In the second half play remained intense, but only one yellow card was issued as the teams defenses settled in. OIT’s Ashton Betts ended the scoring for the game as he scored unassisted in the 64th minute as Northwest would record their 7th win of the season and improve their conference mark to 6-1-1. Oregon Tech dropped to 4-8 overall and 2-6 in CCC play.
Northwest outshot Tech 27-16. Joe Galbraith recorded 7 saves in goal for NU while Tanner Lee grabbed 10 saves for the Owls. Joel Pelton led the Eagles with 9 shots, 6 shots on goal, while Victor Corona led OIT with 8 shots, 4 on goal. Pelton scored a game high two goals and added two assists.
“We talked before the game about coming out with a lot of energy and scoring first, we did that,” said NU Eagle coach, Gary McIntosh. “I felt that was one of the best halves of soccer we have played all year. The guys made good decision and capitalized on our opportunities. I was really pleased we found the back of the net so many times. Both Joel (Pelton) and Taylor (Young) had good games up top for us. Overall, I’m very pleased with the outcome of the game today.”
Northwest U. remains at home to host the College of Idaho on Saturday while Oregon Tech travels to Olympia to play the Evergreen State College.