The Geoduck Pitch is turning out to be a fortress for the Evergreen State College men's soccer team this season. They remain without a loss in three outings at home turf in conference play. Last Friday, October 11, they pounded the higher-ranked Corban University in a comprehensive 3-1 win before settling for a 1-1 stalemate with Bushnell University the following day.
Evergreen got four points out of a possible six in their two consecutive fixtures at home, which should boost their morale after losing all four games on the road so far. With seven points in seven games, they now stand in eleventh place out of 14 schools competing in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC).
Evergreen's home pitch defense continues as they face Rocky Mountain College on Friday, October 18, and Walla Walla University on Sunday, October 20. Both games will be held at Geoduck Pitch with a 3:00 p.m. kickoff.
The Geoducks finally snapped out of their two-game losing skid and spun an inspired performance at home to dismantle a higher-ranked Corban University, 3-1, last Friday. Goals came from Emmanuel Nicasio, Kolby Juarez, and Juan Mendez.
Nicasio opened the scoring two minutes from the kickoff with a direct free kick from 21 yards out, setting the mood for the Geoduck's further domination early on. In under thirty minutes of play, Juarez doubled the advantage. He received a bounced pass from Nicasio and swung a right-footed shot past the Corban goalkeeper Isaac Pureco to make it 2-0 before halftime.
Mendez then delivered the insurance goal in the 78th minute as he capitalized on a cross from Alejandro Gallegos hitting the bar and delivered the easiest of tap-ins for the rebound to make it three goals unanswered, the Geoducks' highest lead of any game so far this season.
Unfortunately for their defense and Geoduck keeper Brendan Gribek, they could not keep a clean sheet as the Warriors got one goal back, thanks to Alexander Guindy, less than a minute after leading by three. The visitors tried to trim the lead more on course for a comeback, but the Geoduck defense remained resilient up until the final whistle.
The match intensity was reflected directly in the box scores: The Geoducks hit 19 attempts and nine on target, while the Warriors had 17 shots and five on goal. Both squads were in flaring tempers, as seven yellow cards were issued, including three for Evergreen.
"We are at the point of the season where points are at a premium, and picking up this win helps build confidence as we look to establish a rhythm moving into," said Evergreen Men's Soccer Head Coach Steve Schmidt in the postmatch interviews.
The Geoducks were just twenty minutes away from two consecutive victories at home, but they were forced to a stalemate against Bushnell University, 1-1, in the follow-up game on Saturday, October 12, at Geoduck Pitch.
Juan Mendez scored the opening goal for Evergreen, which took the early lead at 16 minutes of play. Emmanuel Nicasio threaded a pinpoint through ball that pierced the defense of the Beacons and allowed Mendez to get the finish.
Nicasio has been instrumental in the Geoducks' offense, spraying passes and hitting shots, which he had five attempts to shoot along with teammate Alejandro Gallegos.
With an unstable 1-0 lead, Evergreen defended with might as the Beacons tried to equalize. The visitors had two crucial attempts to equalize, both from forward Francisco Cayolla, one of which was saved by Geoduck keeper Brendan Gribek and the other hit by the bar.
After halftime, the Geoducks had a big chance to double the lead as a penalty was called after a foul in the box.
Nicasio took the pen, but Bushnell keeper Willaim Haberfield saved his low shot to the left corner.
The Beacons finally scored the equalizing goal near the 72nd minute after a Bradley Housey attempt slipped past Gribek for a well-deserved equalizer after their relentless pursuit of a goal.
The Geoducks tried to regain the advantage, registering eight more shots after tying, but Haberfield was a force in the Bushnell defense with his saves, which salvaged a draw at the final whistle.
The match was much more, even in the final stats. Both teams had six shots in goal, with both keepers making five crucial saves. Bushnell had 17 shot attempts in total, while Evergreen had 18.
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