Gutierrez’s Golden Goal Lifts EOU to Season Opening Victory
CALDWELL, Idaho – Alex Gutierrez’s 108th minute golden goal sent the EOU men’s soccer team home with a 3-2, double overtime victory over Embry-Riddle in the 2017 season opener on Friday.
On an extremely hot day where temperatures reached over 100 degrees on the field, the Mountaineers overcame the conditions to give head coach Kenny Huber his first career win.
“I am very proud of the effort and perseverance the guys showed today,” said Huber. “It is great to start the season off with a win, but this game shows we have things we need to continue to work on.”
The Blue and Gold began the match with two goals in the first half and looked well on their way to a season-opening victory after 45 minutes of play. Junior Steven Beaudry netted the team’s first goal of 2017 in just the 12th minute, assisted by senior Julian Wells.
In the 35th minute, senior Fredy Rodriguez pocketed his first goal of the season to give EOU a 2-0 lead. Wells picked up his second assist of the match.
The Mountaineers were outshot 7-2 in the first half by the Eagles, but took advantage of their two opportunities to grab the early advantage. Fortunes changed in the second half, however, as Embry-Riddle scored two goals less than 13 minutes apart to knot the score up at 2 apiece.
In the first overtime, neither team could put any balls on net, with the Eagles holding a 3-2 advantage on shots.
The match looked to be heading for a draw, but with just over two minutes left, Gutierrez scored the game-winner with an assist by senior Carlos Peregrina.
Eastern Oregon next hits the pitch on Sept. 1 at Whitman in Walla Walla, Wash.
For more information on Eastern Oregon men’s soccer, follow @EOUAthletics or visit eousports.com.
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Contact: Iain Dexter; 541-962-3946; idexter@eou.edu