No. 17, freshman Alex Ballard led the Eagles with a goal and an assist today Eagles Down Sierra Nevada to Open 2016 Season 8/24/2016 10:02:04 PM TAHOE VISTA, Calif. – Northwest University’s men’s soccer team got off to a good start in the 2016 season opener with a 4-1 victory over Sierra Nevada College this afternoon. The NU Eagle offense outshot SNC 37-6 while the defense limited Sierra Nevada to just 6 shot for the game. Four different players scored for Northwest U. Branson Corwin gave NU the 1-0 lead at the 23:21 mark with an unassisted goal. Six minutes later, it would be Trent Siedenburg taking a pass from freshman Alex Ballard to put the Eagles up 2-0 and in the 34th minute it would be Ballard scoring a goal off an assist from teammate Odason Pelogi. NU would lead 3-0 at the half. NU’s Luis Rangel would put the game away at the 49:49 mark with an unassisted goal giving the Eagles a 4-0 lead. Sierra Nevada’s only score would come from an own goal by Northwest U in the 69th minute as NU would post their first win of the season. Rangel led Northwest U (1-0) with 5 shots, 4 shots on goal while goalkeeper Daniel Christenson made 3 saves for the Eagles. Jacob Pranke gathered in 10 saves for Sierra Nevada (0-1) in 90 minutes of play. “This was not a very good performance by us today,” said NU head coach, Gary McIntosh. “Our play was sloppy, with a lack of energy, and we showed no patience. The best thing about today will be what will we learn from the experience and apply moving forward. This is a great group of guys and I know that they will put all together soon.” Northwest U travels to Angwin, Calif., tomorrow for a game with Pacific Union College in the hills above the Napa Valley before heading to Redding on Saturday for a 9:30 a.m. game with Simpson University in the first game of a doubleheader with the NU women’s team.