SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Northwest Nazarene men's soccer team traveled to Salt Lake City to face RMAC foe Westminster. A late goal from the Griffins salvaged a 1-1 draw for the home team.
The Nighthawks came in off a frustrating draw against NAIA rival College of Idaho a week ago. One of the top scoring teams in the GNAC last year wasted little time to create chances. A
Rylan McPherson shot just two minutes into the game forced Griffins keeper Oliver Olsen to make a save. Both teams would trade fouls for the next 20 minutes until
Youssef El Madkouri gave a one-touch pass to a springing
Caleb Putney off a long throw-in. Putney took the pass in stride and cut into the 18-yard box before finding
Rylan McPherson at the top of the box, who took a one-time shot that found the near corner to put the visitors on top. NNU would hold Westminster to one first-half shot.
Coming out of the break, NNU picked up right where they left off as Ousman Garba took a shot but missed high. Westminster started to gain some momentum of their own as Parker Stebbing took a shot in the 63rd minute that forced Gerardo Torres Fonte to make a save. Just over 10 minutes later, the Griffins would put in the equalizer off the foot of Gage Wood. The late goal gave the hosts the momentum as they proceeded to get two more shots in the 85th minute but were unable to score on either of them.
NNU opens the season with a 0-0-1 record and will stay in Salt Lake City to face MSU Denver on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 PM.
By the numbers:
- NNU recorded five shots, three on goal
- Westminster recorded five shots, two on goal
- Gerardo Torres Fonte secured 1 save
- Oliver Olsen secured 2 saves
- Rylan McPherson scored the 12th goal of his career and led the team with two shots on goal
- Caleb Putney tallied the eighth assist of his career while recording one shot on goal
- NNU has not lost a season opener since the 2019 season
