EUGENE, Ore. – Junior transfer Ryan Herriage had an auspicious debut for the Beacons on Saturday, scoring the first two goals of the season as NCU claimed a 4-3 victory over Simpson University in their home opener.
The Beacons barnstormed the Red Hawks in the first half, scoring three goals in a 14 minute span. Herriage’s first came in the 13th minute, shooting a 10-yard strike into the upper right corner off a pass from Taylor Hough. Then, in the 21st minute it was a pass from Travis Brown that led to a wide open shot at the net, making it 2-0.
NCU needed just six minute to find the back of the net again. Brown took a free kick just outside of the box. His rocket right foot shot careened off of the row of defenders, straight to sophomore Josh Bramlett who fired home the goal going right to left.
Despite a large 3-0 deficit, the Red Hawks refused to go quietly, stealing a bit of a momentum shift as the first half was winding down. In the 44th minute, Angel Garcia found a loose ball in front of a crowded net and fired in the score.
Simpson would score again early in the second half to make it a 3-2 game. Jonathan Lowdermilk received a pass from Jordan Ferrier and scored to the left side of the net.
The Beacons then found some breathing room in the 70th minute. Brown sent a service into the box to Nick Peloquin, who then sent back a pass to senior Chris Longi. Longi hit the one-timer from 15-yards out for was amounted to a game-winner. It was the third assist of the game for Brown.
“Coming in against Simpson we were really flying and we scored those early goals,” said head coach Brett Bentley. “But tonight was really a good lesson on needing to finish strong, because we left the door open to allow then to get back in it. It was nice to see the guys respond and apply what we discussed at half-time to score that fourth goal which made all the difference.”
That goal became crucial for the Beacons with just one second remaining on the clock when Marvin Delgado fired a frantic free-kick that bounced off of the right post and into the net as the whistle sounded.
Simpson out-shot NCU 17-16, but the Beacons put them where they mattered as they held an 11-8 edge in shots-on-goal. Freshman Dusty Stephens was awarded his first victory in goal for the Beacons, making five saves.
Northwest Christian (1-2) will return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Newberg to take on George Fox University at 7:00 pm.