ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern Men's Soccer team was in need of a bounce back game after Wednesday's loss to Wisconsin-Superior. Thanks to an aggressive offensive effort, great defense and a freshman's right foot, the Eagles got just that in 1-0 win over North Central University on Saturday afternoon.
While they weren't able to get on the scoreboard in the first half, the Eagles were noticeably more aggressive from the jump. UNW out-shot NCU 10-3 in the first 45 and 8-1 on goal. Unfortunately for the Eagles faithful, they weren't able to capitalize on any of those opportunities.
Undeterred, Northwestern kept its foot on the gas in the second half. The Eagles widened their shot margin even more in the second frame to 16-1 and 8-0 on goal. Finally, in the 59
th minute, freshman
Gonzalo Luna Belmonte (Riverbank, Calif./Riverbank) lined one up from the far-left corner of the box and sniped it to the right side of the net off an assist from
Curtis Tinjum (Wausau, Wisc./Wausau West). It was the second goal in three games for the California kid and would be the decisive one in Saturday's match. UNW's defense would continue to shut down the Rams the rest of the way to clinch the 1-0 win.
Captain
Joey McMillin (Hugo, Minn./Centennial) led the offensive attack for Northwestern with six shots and five shots on goal.
Nathan Martinez (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) followed suit with five shots and three on goal, while Belmonte finished with four shots, two of which were on goal.
Aaron Hill (New Brighton, Minn./Mounds View) was active all day, contributing four shots and one shot on goal.
Garrett Miers (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) logged two shots on goal while Tinjum,
Troy Johnson (Killeen, Texas/Killeen) and
Robert Moeller (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Christian) all added one shot on goal apiece.
The Eagles will be back in action Tuesday night as they host the Bethany Lutheran Vikings. The game will be the final regular season home contest for UNW and they will honor senior
Jonathan-Thomas Olsen (Modesto, Calif./James Enochs High) pregame. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM at Reynolds Field.
