PORTLAND, Ore. – The George Fox men's soccer team narrowly defeated Lewis & Clark for the second time this season, 2-1.
How it Happened
The River Otters earned a corner kick in the first two minutes of the game; the ensuing shot missed the goal by several feet. Then, in the following minutes, Fox put heavy pressure on Lewis & Clark's goalie; the team was unable to get a shot off, however.
Zac LeVin looked to find a goal in the 10th minute, but the Lewis & Clark keeper took possession of the ball. Moments later, the River Otters took a shot from just outside the penalty area, missing left. L&C took two more shots in the next four minutes, and neither one found the back of the net. The River Otters tried to sneak a goal in the 23rd minute, but GFU goalie
Chase Nelson stopped their attempt short. Seven minutes passed before L&C took its next shot, this time aimed toward the lower center of the net. Nelson again made the save. Shortly after, L&C shot and missed high.
Though the majority of the half was scoreless, it wouldn't remain that way. In the 43rd minute, River Otter Brody Kennedy successfully headed the ball into the lower-right corner of the net, handing L&C a 1-0 lead. In response, Fox doubled its efforts—and it paid off in the final six seconds of the half. After being fed a pass from the defensive end, LeVin sped past the Lewis & Clark defense, successfully fired a shot into the lower-left corner of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
Fox generated more offensive action in the second half than the first. LeVin took the first shot, but L&C's goalie kept the game tied. Next,
Aidan Brouddus looked to score, but the ball missed right by a hair. A few minutes later,
Wilson Fresh's shot fell just wide, too.
Isaac Wilson took a shot in the 62nd minute, missing right. Four minutes later, Fresh's second shot was blocked.
Zac LeVin attempted to finish a cross in the 73rd minute, but missed left. The first shot from the River Otters came four minutes later; the ball flew high above the net. After five minutes of back-and-forth action, LeVin shot again but missed.
The final few minutes were fraught with tension with both teams vying to get ahead.
Carson Tapia nearly scored 83 minutes in, but L&C's goalie stepped in. The River Otters tried to put one in after a throw-in, but the ball went high.
Talon Wagner shot well, but the L&C goalie completed another save. The following shot from the River Otters missed.
Finally, in the final 20 seconds of the game, Tapia converted a cross by
Liam Urbina, launching the ball into the lower-right corner of the goal, making the score 2-1. Lewis & Clark responded with a shot of their own, but Nelson thwarted their attempts, keeping the game at 2-1 in favor of Fox.
Top Performances
Zac LeVin and
Carson Tapia led the team to victory by putting up one goal each.
Chase Nelson recorded three saves. LeVin took five shots, three of which were on goal.
Wilson Fresh and Tapia each shot twice.
Aidan Brouddus,
Aiden Schultz,
Merric Marino,
Luke Lidington, and Nelson all played for the full 90 minutes.
Coach's Thoughts
"Lewis and Clark continues to be a challenge not for us but for everyone in our conference. Tonight was no different," said Bruin head coach
Paul Karver. "Couldn't be more proud of our young group to come on the road and respond to early adversity the way we did this evening."
What it Means
GFU's record climbs to 2-6-2 (2-4-2 NWC) and Lewis & Clark falls to 1-10-0 (1-7-0 NWC).
What Happens Next
The Bruins will return to Newberg, Ore. to face Pacific at noon on Sunday, October 11.
