NAMPA, Idaho - The Northwest Nazarene men's soccer team battled College of Idaho to an intense scoreless draw.
In a game that felt dominated by the Nighthawks, neither team was able to gain an upper hand.
The Nighthawks started strong with a shot from
Caleb Putney just three minutes in the game that missed wide right. Another chance came at the eight minute mark again off the foot of Putney that missed wide right. Two minutes later
Rylan McPherson put a shot on frame that forced Yotes keeper to make a save to keep the shutout in tact.
The half ended 0-0 despite NNU's seven shots, three on goal.
The second half started with a quick corner for the Yotes but it didn't amount to anything. With 20 minutes left in the game, College of Idaho had a free kick that found the head of their striker that found the back of the net. The Yotes' bench errupted before seeing the nearside AR's flag raised to signal offisde, negating the go-ahead goal.
NNU's best chance came with eight minutes left. A corner kick swung into the back post by
Rylan McPherson. CI's keeper was unable to handle the initial cross and was able to make a last ditch save to keep it out of the net before falling at the feet of
Carson Din. Din had the ball inside the six-yard box but the Yote defense forced the ball wide for a goal kick.
Both teams would trade chances before tempers flared with 15 seconds remaining and the game ended in a draw.
This game did not count for NNU but did for College of Idaho as they start their season 0-0-1. The Nighthawks will travel to Westminster (Utah) on August 27 to open up regular season play.
By the numbers:
- Gerardo Torres Fonte did not record any saves
- Fynn Gehring recorded six saves
- NNU outshot College of Idaho 14-1
- Youseff El Madkouri led the team with two shots on goal, three total
