NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene men's soccer earned their first win of the 2024 season in thrilling fashion on Thursday, coming from behind to defeat West Texas A&M 2-1.
After the visiting Buffs took a 1-0 lead at halftime, both of the Nighthawks' goals came in the second period to steal the victory.
West Texas A&M broke through for the opening goal in the 22
nd minute when Gabriel Nevarez tallied his second of the season.
Something sparked in the Nighthawks at halftime, however, as NNU came out immediately with a fire they hadn't displayed in the opening 45 minutes.
After a few early chances, NNU received a gift from the Buffs in the 54
th minute when a defender stumbled and fell before he could collect a pass.
Jonathan Cardona was in the right place at the right time to take control at the top of the box and slot the ball past the keeper with ease.
NNU and West Texas played the next half hour of action deadlocked at one goal apiece before the Nighthawks broke through for the winner. In the 84
th minute,
Pablo Gonzalez dispossessed a Buffs player around midfield and found
Johnny Ramirez, who turned and slotted a beautiful ball to a streaking Cardona down the left side.
Cardona wasted no time, poking the ball past the charging Buffs keeper with his first touch for his second score of the match to put the Nighthawks up 2-1.
West Texas managed a pair of shots over the final six minutes of regulation, but could not find an equalizer as NNU took the victory.
The final stats were very even, with the teams tied in shots (12) and corners (3), while NNU held a slight advantage in shots on target at 6-4.
Cardona scored his brace on five total shots.
Gerardo Fonte played all 90 minutes in goal with three saves to earn the win.
Despite not playing in the same conference, the Nighthawks and the Buffs have developed a sort of rivalry over the past few years, with tonight's matchup being the fifth meeting in the last four seasons between the programs. It's as even as can be, with both teams having two wins and the other result a draw.
NNU's other victory came in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament, when the Nighthawks outlasted the Buffs in penalties during their run to the Elite Eight.
NNU will next host Lubbock Christian on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. on NNU Field. The Chaps defeated Hawai'i Pacific 1-0 earlier on Thursday in the first game of the weekend in Nampa.
