ST. PAUL, Minn. - On a windy Saturday afternoon, the University of Northwestern Men's Soccer Team took on the Martin Luther College Knights for their final home game of the season. Before kickoff, UNW honored seniors Troy Johnson (Killeen, Texas/Killeen) and Emiliano Leal (Katy, Texas/Tompkins) for their hard work and dedication to the program. In the first meeting between the teams earlier this season, MLC scored in the opening minute, and the Eagles were unable to respond. This time around, Northwestern found the back of the net once in each half to earn its first UMAC win of the season, 2-1.
The Eagles came out attacking in the opening 45 minutes, outshooting the Knights 13-2. In the second minute, Levi Harmes (Richfield, Minn./Homeschool) sent a cross into Daniel DeWalt (Nathrop, Colo./Buena Vista), who was tripped in the box as Northwestern threatened to score early. Josiah Mezey (Monument, Colo./Village) also created opportunities, putting two shots wide before forcing a save from the MLC keeper in the 15th minute.
Max Plaza (New Brighton, Minn./St. Anthony Village) later sent DeWalt into the box for a one-on-one opportunity, but the keeper came off his line to break up the attack. Braeden Morrow (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) followed with a shot on target that was saved, and Mezey sent another attempt just over the crossbar. DeWalt then forced another save, with Harmes collecting the rebound and firing a shot of his own.
Sebastian Reyes (Hawthorne, Calif./Da Vinci Design) finally broke through for Northwestern with seven minutes remaining in the first half. The sophomore sent the ball over two defenders and forced the keeper off his line to challenge the attack. Before the keeper could reach it, Reyes got a foot on the ball and lifted it over the line to send the Reynolds Field crowd into a celebration. The goal gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
The second half opened with a flurry of action, as both teams found the back of the net within the first 80 seconds. MLC struck first, scoring just 45 seconds after the restart, but Northwestern quickly answered. Harmes drew the Knights' keeper out to challenge his attack before avoiding the goalie and maintaining possession. He then lifted a perfectly placed ball into the box, where Morrow headed it home to put the Eagles back in front, 2-1.
Northwestern continued to threaten as Ayden Snyder (Spring Valley, Calif./Moanalua) raced up the near sideline and edged past his defender before sending a shot wide. Morrow followed with another promising attempt on target, but the keeper made the save. The Eagles held their advantage through the final whistle to secure their first conference win of the campaign.
Reyes and Morrow each finished with a goal, three shots, and two shots on target. Mezey and Plaza also recorded two shots on target apiece, while Logan Hutzenbiler (Billings, Mont./Billings Central Catholic) played all 90 minutes in goal and made two saves.
The Eagles will close out the season with two UMAC road contests, beginning with a midweek matchup against Crown College on Wednesday, October 28, at 4:30 PM.
Congratulations to Troy Johnson (Killeen, Texas/Killeen) and Emiliano Leal (Katy, Texas/Tompkins) on being recognized for their contributions to Northwestern Men's Soccer!
