NU's Edgar Esquivel (#2) battles for a ball.
Northwest and Whitman Battle to a Scoreless Tie
KIRKLAND, Wash. - The Northwest University Eagles and Whitman Missionaries battled to a scoreless, 0-0, tie this afternoon on the NU Athletic Field. It was the season opener for both teams and a non-conference contest.
Neither team would find the goal net after 19 combined shots attempts as Whitman's goalkeeper, Michael Bathurst (Jr., Portland, Ore.) and NU goalie, Joe Galbraith (Whitefish, Mont.) would not allow a goal in 90 minutes of play.
Whitman (0-0-1) outshot NU (0-0-1) 13-6 as NU's Galbraith had 2 saves for the day. Bathurst grabbed 1 save for Whitman. Northwest's Edgar Esquivel had one left footed shot blocked and another saved by Bathurst. Brian Percival and Leland Mattheus both had shots that were turned away from the Eagles' Galbraith.
"First game out and it was not our best game," commented Eagle coach, Gary McIntosh. "I feel like we came out a bit sluggish and were slow to the ball. Whitman had a lot of the possessions early on and we spent a good portion of the half chasing the play. In the second half I felt the guys did play better and we did have more of the possession of play."
McIntosh continued, "I think we just struggled all afternoon with possession and then finding options going forward. Joe (Galbraith) played a great game in goal coming up with some great saves and keeping us in the game. We need to come out to practice tomorrow focused on changing a few things and getting ready for Saturday’s game."
Northwest U. will host Willamette University (Salem, Ore.) on Saturday with a 3 p.m. start scheduled. The Eagles will also be home on Monday, Sept. 5, and will take on the University of Great Falls in a morning, 11 a.m. contest.