NAMPA, Idaho – Maddox Marcelli scored twice in the second half as Northwest Nazarene men's soccer pulled away for a 3-1 victory over Simon Fraser on Saturday at the NNU Soccer Field.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, the Nighthawks broke through early in the second half. Jim Wagenaar stepped to the penalty spot in the 52nd minute and converted to give NNU a 1-0 advantage.
Simon Fraser responded in the 69th minute after Elijah Brockl made a tremendous save that took an unfortunate bounce off a Nighthawks defender for an own goal.
The tie lasted less than four minutes.
In the 73rd minute, Ousman Garba fought through contact in the offensive third and found Maddox Marcelli who put his laces through the ball from 20-yards out and put the Nighthawks on top.
Marcelli struck again in the 83rd minute to give NNU some breathing room on a cross inside the 18-yard box that found him wide open. Marcelli played it with his head and flicked it to the back post for the insurance goal. Kwame Kwakye provided the assist as Marcelli completed his brace and extended the Nighthawks' advantage to 3-1.
NNU saw out the remaining minutes to secure the victory and improve to 8-3-5 overall and 3-2-2 in GNAC play. Simon Fraser moved to 5-4-5 overall and 3-2-2 in conference action.
By the numbers:
- Marcelli scored twice on four shots, putting all four attempts on goal
- Wagenaar opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the 52nd minute
- Garba and Kwakye each recorded an assist
- Elijah Brockl made six saves in goal for the Nighthawks
- All three of NNU's goals came in the second half
- The Nighthawks scored three times on eight total shots
- NNU improved to 8-3-5 overall and 3-2-2 in GNAC play
