LA GRANDE, Ore. - Eastern Oregon University Men's Soccer started the 2022 campaign off with a win Tuesday night against Whitman College. The Mounties took control early at Community Stadium in La Grande and cruised to a 2-0 win in their home opener.
A 91 degree evening saw the EOU offense start off just as hot. Five minutes and 27 seconds into the first period Max Rose broke away and found the back of the net for the first Mountaineer goal of the season to take a 1-0 lead. Faris Ceranic was credited with the assist. Later in the first period Eastern would tack onto their lead thanks to a Whitman own goal making it 2-0. From there the two teams locked into a defensive battle with neither allowing a goal to finish out the match.
Both teams relied on their defense for the midweek match as each team took only six shots. Eastern was more efficient with their shots, having three shots on goal to Whitman's one. Each goalkeeper tallied one save on the night as well. Dalton Mauzay picked up his second career shutout thanks to Eastern's defensive performance.
The Mountaineers' season-opening win is their first since 2019 and fourth in the team's young history. The win also marks Jessy Watson's first season-opening win as a head coach. EOU will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 3 when they take on Linfield University at home at 4 p.m.