Box Score NAMPA, Idaho. – The Northwest Nazarene University men's soccer team defeated Saint Martin's University 2-1 this afternoon in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference match at the NNU Soccer Field.
 
Scoreless until the 67^th-minute, the Crusaders scored twice in three minutes and then held strong to pick up the GNAC win against the Saints.  The Crusaders improve to 4-3-0 overall and 1-1-0 in league action, while the Saints fell to 0-8-0 overall and 0-3-0 in conference matches.
 
"It was nice to see the guys bounce back after a tough defeat on the road last week," commented NNU head coach Joel DeLass.  "Saint Martin's defended very well and made it difficult on us.  There's no easy game in the GNAC, so getting a win is huge."

Jake Levine found Michael Bryant in the 67^th-minute with a cross from the left side that Bryant was able to finish into the center of the goal from five yards.  It was Bryant's third goal of the season.
 
NNU struck again in the 68^th-minute when Keon Jones scored his first of the year with a hustle play that resulted in a goal.  SMU goalkeeper Griffin Small was attempting to clear a slow pass that was played back to the box when Jones sprinted up the middle and blocked Small's clearing attempt.  The block came off Jones and directly into the net for the goal.
 
The Saints closed the lead to one in the 87^th-minute when a foul on the Crusaders resulted in a set piece on the left side.  Sebastian Navarro served a ball into the box and found Brandon Madsen who headed home his fifth goal of the year.
 
The Crusader defense was able to control play during the final minutes and seal the victory.
 
NNU will host Seattle Pacific University on Saturday.  Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.