NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene junior Aoci Watambela had never played a game for the Nighthawks in his career.

He sat out last fall because of low grades, but hard work and determination led him back onto the squad this year and he made it pay off Saturday.

Watambela fought through traffic to score the final goal in a 3-1 victory against College of Idaho in an exhibition game at NNU Field.

"I didn't want to sit out (last year)," he said, "but I had to because I wasn't doing good in school. In the spring, I tried my best to get my grades up and I finally did and I'm very proud of myself."

New head coach Adam Pearce earned a win in his first game on the sidelines for the Nighthawks, but afterward he was more happy for Watambela than himself.

"The thing that is cool about college athletics is there are some really great stories," Pearce said of Watambela. "For a kid to overcome those things – whether people know about them or not – that goal meant a lot more than one point for us and especially for him. I'm really proud of him and happy he had that moment."

Watambela scored in the 78th minute, beating three defenders in the process. Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz scored the opener in the 12th minute on an assist by Brandon Parsio and Parsio later added a goal of his own on a defensive breakdown.

"We've been working on high pressing as a team and cutting off spaces," Parsio said. "We've been working really hard all week and getting to play another team was a freeing experience. To be able to put it on the pitch and see how we can do. We executed really well and it paid off."

Alex Nadermann made two saves while playing the first half and freshman Sawyer Price had one save and one goal allowed in the second half.

"There are a lot of questions that have to be answered, but we utilized the little bit of preparation that we had," Pearce said. "Even though it was an exhibition, we are happy we got the result we did. It gives us the chance to grow and build on the positive things for sure."

While the game was an exhibition for NNU it was the season opener for College of Idaho, which helped the intensity of the match feel like a regular-season game for both sides.

"Trying to execute the gameplan was what I'm most pleased with," Pearce said. "I would have been pleased with that intentional performance and effort, win or lose."

NNU hosts Blue Mountain Community College in another exhibition at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31.