ST. BONIFACIUS, Minn. – The University of Northwestern Men's Soccer team had its first chance to avenge a conference loss Saturday at Crown College. Last month, the Polars got the best of UNW at Reynolds Field, stealing a 2-1 win with a goal in the 81
st minute. While the Eagles weren't able to get full revenge with a win, they did battle back to tie.
After a quiet first half for both offenses, Crown was able to strike first with a goal in the 48
th minute. In the 78
th,
Gonzalo Luna Belmonte (Riverbank, Calif./Riverbank) delivered a strike from deep to the top right corner of the net to even the score. The freshman's first career goal sent the Northwestern fans and sideline into a frenzy. Each team shot one more time before the clock hit triple-zeros, but the 1-1 score would be the final.
It was a balanced attack for UNW at Old National Bank Stadium.
Aaron Hill (New Brighton, Minn./Mounds View) led the Eagles offense with two shots on goal. Belmonte,
Nathan Martinez (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee),
Joey McMillin (Hugo, Minn./Centennial) and
Simeon Friesen (Mounds View, Minn./Mounds View) each added one.
Kyle Dipzinski (Ionia, Mich./Ionia) finished the match with three saves.
The Eagles will continue conference play Wednesday night at 7:00 PM when the welcome the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets to Reynolds Field.
