LA GRANDE, Ore. - Eastern Oregon University Men's Soccer kicked off the 2021 season Saturday night in a non-conference bout against NCAA Division III foe Whitworth University inside Community Stadium. The Pirates scored a pair of goals in each period to down the Mountaineers by a final of 4-0.
How it Happened
• The Pirates counted the match as an exhibition on their end, while the contest counted for the Mountaineers (0-1-0). Helping Whitworth inthe win was an 11-8 shots advantage with a76-3 edge in shots on goal.
• Defensively, EOU tallied three saves in the loss, but had the edge in corner kicks at 4-0. Aggressive play on both ends led to 18 total fouls with the Pirates tallying two more than the Mountaineers at 10-8.
• In the first frame, EOU surrendered the first of two goals in the 15th minute. A long pass down the field by Whitworth allowed Dominic Gusman to get deep in the Mounties' territory where he looked off goalkeeper
Dalton Mauzay to score the goal from five yards out.
• EOU kept the game at 1-0 for the next 24 minutes before the Pirates were able to capitalize again. A shot by Whitworth deep in the penalty area was deflected by Mauazy but the loose ball landed in front of the feet of Jonathan Guglielmetti who hit a wide open goal from the left three yards out.
• The Pirates went into the halftime break with the 2-0 lead thanks to a barrage of shots. They held a 7-3 shots advantage which was the difference in them holding the two-goal lead.
• It took little time for the Pirates to make it a 3-0 lead in the second period. Gusman pushed the Whitworth lead to three in the 48th minute as another long in stride allowed him to slip by the defense for a 1v1 setup against Mauzay. Gusman nailed a shot from the right side to the left end of the net to tally his second goal of the match.
• Three minutes later in the 51st minute, Whitworth tacked on its final goal. This time it was a header goal by the Pirates that made it a 4-0 advantage. Liam Megehee got down the left sideline and crossed back to the middle of the field where Arthur Beckett got high enough to head the ball through the left side for the goal.
• Eastern looked to avoid the shutout and had opportunities in the second frame. Despite the chances to connect by the Mountaineers, Whitworth had an answer each time to avoid surrendering a goal and held on for the win. EOU finished the second frame outshooting the Pirates 5-4 overall.
Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• In net,
Dalton Mauzay made three saves in his first career start for EOU.
•
Carlos Murillo led the offense with two shots total and had one shot on goal.
•
Dawson Heuett had one shot in the loss that came on goal.
•
Kellen Burke recorded the only other shot on goal for EOU.
For the Pirates
• Dominic Gusman scored two goals, with the first being the gamewinner. He tallied a game-high 5 shots, with three coming on goal.
• Jonathan Guglielmetti finished with a goal scored and three shots overall.
• Both Andyn Maldonado and Ethan Kemer each had an assist in the win as starters.
• Off the bench, both Liam McGehee and Sebastion Horn had an assist as well.
• In net, Andrew Wolotira tallied the win in 76 minutes of action. He finished with two saves.
By the Numbers
0- EOU still has yet to win a home opener in the program's young history. They are 0-6-1 all-time in home openers.
20 - In all 20 Mountaineers saw time on the pitch in the 2021 season opener.
3- In four matchups all-time against Whitworth, EOU is now 1-3 against the Pirates.
4 - EOU is now 3-4-0 all-time in season openers.
Up Next
• EOU will hit the road for its next two contests to wrap up non-conference play. Both contests will be played in California as the Mountaineers will take on The Master's University and Hope International University.
• First up for EOU will be the Mustangs of The Master's. The two teams will square off on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. PT. EOU will then face off against Hope International on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 12 p.m. PT.
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