LA GRANDE, Ore. -  A pair of second period goals from Eastern Oregon University Men's Soccer lifted the Mountaineers to their first win of the season as they took Northwest University 2-0 inside Community Stadium. With the win, EOU now sits at 1-2 on the season. It is also the first career win for Head Coach Jessy Watson at EOU.
 
How it Happened
• Defense dictated much of the game as neither team managed to score in the first 45 minutes of action. Physical play was also aggressive in the games as the Mounties and Eagles (2-1) committed 19 total fouls in 90 minutes of action.
• For the game, the two squads combined for 27 total shots. Northwest had the edge at 14-13 but Eastern was the leader in shots on goal at 5-4. The Eagles had multiple opportunities to score but solid play in net from Max Rose combined with help from the defense kept Northwest from ever finding the back of the net.
• The first period was scoreless, but chances were there for both the Mounties and Eagles. They finished with five shots apiece in the first 45 minutes. Northwest had the advantage in corner kicks in the first period at 5-0 but never capitalized.
• Going into the break, the Mountaineers had two saves from Rose but committed six fouls in the first frame. Northwest had just one save and totaled five fouls in that span. Going into the second period, EOU scored within the first 10 minutes of action on what was a unique goal.
• Jorge Medina scored the first goal for EOU in the 54th minute. He got down to the right side of the field and looked to play a cross into the box for a potential shot. Rather than play the cross, Medina took matters into his own hands and took high a shot that curved into the upper left corner of the net for the goal.
• The score remained at 1-0 for a good while until the Mountaineers scored in the 76th minute to make it 2-0. Rose left the goalkeepers area and sent a long pass down the field to an open Patrick Larsen who got the ball in stride. The Eagles goalkeeper tried to come out and grab the ball but Larsen got it by him and scored on the empty net with ease.
 
Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Patrick Larsen finished with three shots for the game, with one coming on goal that connected.
• Jorge Medina was credited the gamewinning goal and had two shots for the game.
• Off the bench, Kellen Burke took two shots and had one come on goal.
• Alexander Zuluaga finished with two shots as well.
• In net, Max Rose had four saves in his first shutout win of the season. Rose also earned the assist on the Larsen goal.
 
For the Eagles
• Elliott Misic had three shots overall (2 SOG) to lead the Northwest offense.
• Kyle Han and Brayden Corwin also had three shots on the day, but none came on goal.
• Goalkeeper Alexander Thiehofe had two saves in the loss.
 
By the Numbers
1 – With the victory over Northwest, Head Coach Jessy Watson picked up his first career win at EOU.
27 – The Mountaineers and Eagles combined for 27 shots, the most in a game for EOU this year.
5 – A total of five yellow cards were issued in the game, with four going against EOU.
19 – EOU and Northwest combined for 19 fouls in 90 minutes of action.
2 – With the win over Northwest, the Mountaineers have now won two-straight against the Eagles.
 
Up Next
• EOU will now turn its focus to the start of conference play next weekend. The Mountaineers will kickoff Cascade College Conference play at home against Rocky Mountain College (Mont.) on March 7 and 8.
• The two teams will play each other back-to-back days inside Community Stadium. Kickoff for both games is set for 1:30 p.m. PT.

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