Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Depth played a difference for a road-weary Crusader squad Tuesday afternoon.

The Northwest Nazarene men's soccer team overcame the heat, altitude, a road-trip to Utah and a one-goal deficit, rallying to beat Dixie State (Utah) 3-1 in the final nonconference contests of the fall for the Crusaders.

"We really earned this result, and did it with some different guys today due to the fatigue factor in the squad," NNU head men's soccer coach Coe Michaelson said. "I'm really proud of how a few of those guys stepped up today.

"The conditions were very difficult," he added, "at elevation (4,327 feet), in heat and on turf; so the game was very fatiguing."

Fatigue wasn't a factor early, though, as the Red Storm (0-3-1 overall) grabbed a quick lead when Jorge Echavarria headed in a throw-in with 20 minutes, 5 seconds gone in the contest.

The Crusaders wasted no time responding – literally – as Erik Anderson put home a pass from Jaime Verdin just 1:05 later, tying the game, which remained deadlocked until midway through the second half.

That brought the fatigue factor into play, and NNU overcame that along with the Red Storm as Anderson headed home his fourth goal of the young season off a Julio Castillo pass, giving the Crusaders a 2-1 lead with 22:22 left to play.

NNU maintained that lead until the fleeting moments when Fredy Razo capped the win, scoring on a breakaway with 29 seconds remaining.

Alfredo E. Ontiveros made five saves in the win for the Crusaders, who now return home to begin Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on Saturday when NNU hosts Montana State Billings at 3 p.m.