Box Score

NAMPA, Idaho — There's nothing wrong with a hard-fought victory, as long as it's a victory.

The Northwest Nazarene men's soccer team stretched its win streak to seven games, battling past a feisty University of Mary squad Saturday, handing the Marauders a 2-0 defeat in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at Finkbeiner Park on the NNU campus.

"Today was a very hard-fought game," NNU head men's soccer coach Coe Michaelson said. "(Mary's Coach) Dave (Cook) has done a great job and that's the best Mary team we've faced.

"I'm proud of our guys for their toughness to fight through and get the shutout," Michaelson added.

It was an even fight for most of the first half as both teams had a few chances, but neither converting.
 

That was until Michael Mollay struck with 2 minutes, 37 seconds left until halftime, getting to a loose ball in the Marauders goal-box and booting in what proved to be the game-winner.

Marshall Hartley set up the goal with a cross from the left side that Mary goalkeeper Michael Frenzel punched away, but Mollay got to the ball before Frenzel's defense could clear it out of danger.

The Crusaders (8-1-0 overall, 5-0-0 GNAC) clung to that tenuous lead until the 73^rd minute, when Erik Anderson netted his team-leading eighth goal of the season off a cross from Fredy Razo that was flicked on by Jaime Verdin.

That turned out to be just enough in this hard-fought battle as the Crusader defense clamped down and helped Alfredo E. Ontiveros, who made four saves, record his fourth shutout this season.

Helping lead NNU's defensive stand was midfielder Bryan Neba, who drew praise for his play from Coach Michaelson.

"I thought Bryan Neba was the best player on the pitch today and was so key to the midfield battle in the center of the park," NNU's coach said.

The Crusaders now take their seven-game win streak on the road, playing at St. Martin's on Thursday before a huge clash for the GNAC lead at No. 7 Seattle Pacific next Saturday.