LA GRANDE, Ore. – The EOU men’s soccer team (8-7-1, 5-6-1 CCC) led 3-0 with 20 minutes remaining in regulation before yielding two goals to Northwest Christian (6-7-2, 6-4-2 CCC), but the Mounties stood tall to stave off the Beacons’ furious rally attempt in the final 10 minutes Friday afternoon at the EOU Soccer Field.
Senior forward Julian Wells got the action started for the Blue and Gold with his team-leading seventh tally 18 minutes into the match. Junior midfielder Josh Goodman recycled a pass back to Wells outside the 18-yard box as his right-footed effort got through the outstretched hands of Yayo Olvera at the near post.
EOU went on to cap of the first stanza launching seven more shots, two coming on target but held a 1-0 advantage at the intermission.
In the 53rd minute, Goodman collected a well-placed through ball from junior forward Aldo Rivas and without settling, Goodman rifled a shot across his body as the ball took one ricochet off the post finding the twine. Now leading 2-0, 10 minutes later, junior Alex Gutierrez swelled the lead to three, with his second goal of the campaign.
Off a long volley, keeper Olvera marched out of his box for the clearance but missed on the play, which allowed Gutierrez for the easy tap in. In the 70th tick, the Beacons’ attack broke through on a penalty kick as Sanad Elghanai went upper 90 for the score.
NCU continued pushing numbers and raised the drama trimming the deficit down to one, 3-2, off Victor Irechkwu’s goal in the 83rd. Irechkuwu found himself free inside the left side of the five-yard box and went around junior keeper Aidan Wright for the tally.
With seven minutes until the final whistle, the EOU defense held off NCU just enough, yielding only one shot the rest of the way for the 3-2 triumph.
Goodman led the charge launching five shots, two on target, while Wells connected on four shots. Seeing his first start in net since Oct.7, Wright logged four saves.
Currently, the Mountaineers are just one spot outside the top eight for the CCC Tournament as College of Idaho (9-7, 6-6 CCC) is in front with one game remaining. EOU closes out the regular season against No. 11 Corban tomorrow at 2 pm on Senior Day.
BY THE NUMBERS
7 – Amount of goals Wells has netted this season.
16 – Shots taken by the Mounties, seven on frame.
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