EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell men's soccer team wrapped up their non-conference slate on Monday night with a 2-2 tie against Pacific University, getting a draw-saving goal from Javier Gutierrez in the 84th minute.
The Beacons (4-0-1) came back from deficits twice in the contest, and finished the night holding a 12-6 advantage in shots. They allowed just three shots-on-goal in the contest, with two of them happening to find the back of the net for the Boxers.
"We were able to come back against a very tough opponent today," said Head Coach Joao Ehlers. "Pacific was the best defensive team we have seen so far this season and they made things difficult for us with numbers behind the ball and quickly shutting down spaces in the final third. I am proud of the effort the guys put forth tonight to pull out the tie."
Pacific struck first as Aidan Heflin intercepted a ball in the box and tapped it across the goal line in the 12th minute.
Bushnell responded in the 30th minute with Walter Reustle scoring into the upper corner of the net off a pass from Omar Barajas.
The Boxers answered just before the end of the half as Heflin assisted on a goal by Tyler Scott to take a 2-1 advantage into the intermission.
Pacific tightened things up in the second half, taking just three shots, while Bushnell continued to be aggressive with nine shot attempts in the period. The Beacons finally broke through in the 84th minute as Javier Gutierrez blasted a one-time strike off a cross from Cole Sindt.
The Beacons, who end the non-conference schedule undefeated for just the second time in school history, will enjoy an 11-day layoff before starting off Cascade Collegiate Conference play in a big way, visiting Corban University in Salem on September 15 at 4:30 pm.