OLYMPIA, Wash. – In a potential playoff preview, the Evergreen Geoducks used a goal from junior Brady Espinoza (Pasco, Wash./Walla Walla CC) to get past the Northwest Eagles, 1-0, in a Cascade Conference men’s soccer match on Saturday afternoon on Field #3 in Olympia, Wash.
The first half was scoreless as neither team managed many opportunities. Evergreen held a 4-1 advantage on shots prior to the break but it wasn’t enough to open the scoring.
In the second half, the Geoducks took advantage of a hard foul just outside the box that gave Espinoza the opportunity to bend the free kick around the defense and into the upper corner of the net for the game’s lone goal.
Evergreen finished the match with a 10-7 advantage on shots and both teams managed six opportunities in the second half. Mauricio Sanchez (Wenatchee, Wash./Wenatchee Valley CC) made two saves to collect the shutout while Joe Gailbraith and Scott Lane combined for three saves for the Eagles.
The Geoducks will play their first playoff game since 2005, and their first home playoff game in school history, on Tuesday. The opponent will be announced Saturday evening for the match which will be played at 4 p.m. at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey, Wash.
Congratulations Geoducks and to Coach John Purtteman! Continue the run and set some school history!
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