Box Score
NAMPA, Idaho – On a cold, windy afternoon, it took a while for the Crusaders to get warmed up Thursday against the University of Mary.
Then, in 34 seconds, things changed for the Northwest Nazarene men's soccer team.
Evan Horwood broke a scoreless tie, tapping in a cross from Fredy Razo with 2:27 left in the first half. Then Razo scored his seventh goal of the season 34 seconds later, sparking a 4-0 Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory for the Crusaders.
"We are pleased with the result, but the truth is we came out very flat and we were fortunate to have a lead at halftime," NNU coach Coe Michaelson said, as neither team controlled play in the opening half.
Up 2-0 at the break, NNU (2-3-3 overall, 2-2-1 GNAC) put the game away early in the second half as Austin Thomas booted home a pass from Razo in the 53rd minute.
Layne Leisten's diving header off a Jaime Torres cross in the 62nd minute finished off the scoring, giving the Crusaders a comfortable 4-0 lead.
"I think in the second half we deserved the goals we got and were the better team," Michaelson said, adding, "but with that said, we really need to mature in the area of preparation and being ready to play because we were a bit fortunate with that first half today."
NNU freshman goalkeeper Ryan Foo – the reigning GNAC Defensive Player of the Week - made six saves in the win, earning his first collegiate shutout.
None proved bigger than a point-blank chance for the Marauders' Alex Boyes with 21 minutes remaining, as Foo dove to smother the scoring chance.
"I thought (defender) Dan Day and Ryan Foo in particular were really strong for us today and put in really strong performances," Michaelson said.
Jack West made three saves in goal to lead Mary (0-7-0, 0-5-0).
Offensively, Razo and Torres led the way as Razo had a goal – the junior now has scored in six straight games - and assisted on goals by Horwood and Thomas, while Torres had three assists: on goals by Razo, Thomas and Leisten.
Cedric Dinane and Luke Broz also had an assist in the win, the second straight by the Crusaders who next host South Dakota School of Mines on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Michaelson hopes his team's second-half play continues for a full 90 minutes against the Hardrockers on Saturday.
"We just need a higher level of consistency," Michaelson said, looking ahead.
