The Geoduck Men's soccer team had lost three of their last four matches before they took on the Warner Pacific Knights on Wednesday, September 28. Their only positive result was a 0-0 draw last Wednesday, September 21, in Eugene, Oregon when they played Northwest Christian.
Evergreen desperately needed a positive result to boost their spirits. Evergreen stepped up.
Right from the kick off, the Geoducks displayed their attacking ability. A few shots were well off target, but forced the Knights' goalkeeper to stay alert. Evergreen found the back of the net only a few minutes later.
On the right side of the pitch #18 ,Brandon Wood, was fouled, but the referee gave the advantage to the Geoducks. From the continuing play #8, Josh Strasser, was able to score from a tight angle to give Evergreen the lead after 7 minutes.
With a 1-nil lead, the Geoducks buckled down to keep the Knights from grabbing an equalizer. Evergreen's defense felt more pressure after midfielder #9, Brice Boum, picked up a yellow card following a thunderous challenge.
The Geoducks' defense wavered when a shot bounced off the post and then they gave two free kicks to the Knights, just outside the 18-yard box. Evergreen's goalkeeper #1, Mitch Treend, raised his game to thwart the Knights. Treend produced two sensational saves, diving to his left to keep the score in favor of Evergreen.
Warner Pacific was able to equalize in the 32nd minute when they were awarded another free kick. Alija Sacirovic headed the ball past the on rushing Treend, also fighting off two Evergreen defenders in the process.
After conceding a goal Evergreen didn’t sulk. They went after the Knights' goal to try to reclaim the lead before the end of the first half. Strasser placed a fantastic cross in, just eluding the outstretched foot of #12 Kevin Flavin.
The first half ended with the scoring line showing 1-1--the Geoducks and the Knights evenly matched.
The second half began with Evergreen piling on the pressure to break the tie, which they finally did in an unbelievable fashion.
#12 Flavin received a throw-in about 35 yards out and he turned, unleashing a rocket that flew into the back of the net past the diving Knights' goalkeeper.
Reclaiming the lead, Evergreen showed great strength in keeping the Knights at bay. Time after time, the Knights' attacks were snuffed out and the Geoducks looked forward to snag their third goal.
Sadly Evergreen’s defense buckled in the 80th minute when the Knights' Jameson Jones fired past Treend to level the score at 2 with ten mintues left in the match.
The Geoduck players looked down after conceding an equalizer so deep into the match. However, at the restart, Evergreen brushed aside this set back and looked to grab the winner.
Showing great determination and strength, Evergreen laid siege to the Knights' goal. The Geoducks' chances were getting closer and closer each time until finally they broke through. #14 Jeremy Novack received a throw-in and with his back to goal applied a delicate touch that sailed over the standing goalkeeper into the back of the net.
Evergreen players rushed over to Novack to celebrate. The match didn’t end there, though. There were still 5 minutes left and Evergreen doubled their efforts to keep the Knights from scoring.
When the final whistle blew, the Evergreen players were ecstatic about picking up their first win in conference play. Besides the first win, it was even more impressive to see this Evergreen side battle back not once, but twice to retake the lead, which took a lot of heart.
Evergreen will travel to Klamath Falls, Oregon on Saturday October, 1st to take on Oregon Tech.