EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University men’s soccer team rallied from a two-goal second half deficit and survived a last-minute penalty kick to force a tie with Corban University on Saturday evening in Cascade Collegiate Conference action, 2-2.
Corban scored the first goal of the game in the 41st minute with a little help from the Beacons. Steffan Bard sent a cross in from the corner that remained up against the baseline. The ball bounced right in front of the goal and an NCU defender attempted to clear the ball but instead deflected it into the net for an Own Goal.
The Warriors took the 1-0 lead into halftime after out-shooting Northwest Christian 8-5 in the period. They wasted little time making it a 2-0 game, scoring just one minute into the second half. Michael Leptich sent a high cross to Tyler Hagen who punched in the score.
NCU refused to go quietly, however, and in the 58th minute would score their first goal of the night. A long throw-in from Lucas Cash led to a loose ball in the box. Andrew Poe collected the ball and sent a small backwards pass to Chris Longi who fired home the goal.
Then, in the 75th minute Travis Brown shot home the equalizer, taking the ball from the right side and firing a missile from 20-yards away.
Regulation came to an end with both teams having posted 16 shots, seven on goal for the Beacons and five on goal for Corban. After a quiet first overtime, the Warriors put together a few strong scoring opportunities over the final ten minutes. Corban collected four shots in the period and on another chance, forced the Beacon into a foul in the box and a penalty kick.
The ensuing PK attempt went to the left of NCU keeper Erik Carrazco who dove and tipped the ball away, saving the would-be game-winner.
Both teams finished with seven shots on goal as both Carrazco and Corban goalie Steven Mason posted five saves between the pipes.
NCU (2-5-1, 0-3-1 CCC) return to action next Friday when they play host to the College of Idaho at 5:00 pm. Corban hosts Oregon Tech at 3:00 pm that same day.