Northwest goalkeeper Joe Galbraith goes high for a Knight shot.
NU Eagles and Warner Pacific Battle to Overtime Tie
KIRKLAND, Wash. - Northwest University and Warner Pacific battled to a 0-0 tie in two overtimes this afternoon in Cascade Conference play. It was a combination of strong defensive play and missed opportunities for both teams.
A total of 35 shots were taken, 11 of those shots on goal, but neither team could manage a score. Northwest U. (2-1-3, 1-0-1 CCC) goalkeeper Joe Galbraith and Warner Pacific goalie, Drew Bonifacio earned shutouts with 7 and 4 saves respectively.
Warner Pacific (3-1-1, 1-0-1 CCC) outshot NU in the first half, 7-4, but the Eagles stepped up their offense in the second half outshooting the Knights, 11-6. NU finished with a 20-15 shot advantage at the end of the game.
Both teams had opportunities to win the game in overtime. Northwest had three shots in the first overtime. Luke Fischer’s shot 55 seconds into the extra period was saved by Bonafacio. Less than two minutes later, Fischer hit a shot up the middle from 17 yards out that sailed just a foot over the crossbar and NU’s Joel Pelton’s shot at the 99:13 mark sailed wide left.
In the second overtime, it was Warner Pacific with opportunities as Jordan Selland’s shot went wide left (108:15) and the Knight’s Jameson Jones just missed a goal as he took a cross from teammate Almir Celebic and struck the ball just left of the goal mouth. NU’s Nickey Ricks had a final chance at a goal with less than 2 minutes remaining but couldn’t gather himself from 8 yards out as his shot sailed wide left.
"We were disappointed we couldn't manage to score," said Gary McIntosh, Northwest head coach. "but I was pleased with the work ethic of the team. Their hard work created opportunities on goal but we couldn't put any away. Warner Pacific played a good game and made it difficult for us to score."