NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene men's soccer continued its unbeaten start to the season with a high-scoring 4-3 victory over Colorado Mesa on Saturday afternoon.
The Nighthawks improve to 3-0-1 on the year. NNU had a 0-0 draw in their first game of the season, but has now averaged 4.33 goals per game in the three wins since.
It was the Mavericks that got the scoring started, however, as CMU took a 1-0 lead in just the eighth minute.
The Nighthawks followed that with an offensive flurry, starting with freshman phenom
Rylan McPherson drilling a goal from outside the top of the box off an assist from
Derek Johnson in the 19
th minute. Johnson then scored one of his one with a precise strike inside the far post just two minutes later to put NNU on top.
In the 32
nd minute, McPherson found the back of the net again after picking up a defensive misplay by CMU and converting on the opportunity. With his two goals today, the Meridian native is already up to five on the season through four games to lead the GNAC at this early point in the year.
The Mavericks got one back just over a minute later, though, cutting the NNU lead to 3-2, which would remain the score at halftime.
The second half did not see as much scoring, with NNU getting an insurance goal in the 62
nd minute on a Mavericks' own goal.
Caleb Putney sent a dangerous ball into the box that a CMU defender tried to flick away over the crossbar, but instead it was sent straight into the goal.
The insurance goal proved to be significant, as CMU cut the lead back down to one just three minutes later. Tensions were high and both teams had chances over the final 25 minutes, but the Nighthawks were able to hold on for the 4-3 win.
NNU looks to continue their winning ways on the road next week, visiting Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7:00 p.m.
