WALLA WALLA, Wash. - The Eastern Oregon men's soccer team officially opened the 2024 season on Wednesday night, securing a 2-1 exhibition victory over the Whitman Blues at the Whitman Sports Complex. The Mountaineers set the pace early, scoring both of their goals in the first half, while the Blues responded with a lone goal in the second half.
Eastern Oregon's Abner Hernandez opened the scoring just five minutes into the game with an unassisted strike, putting the Mountaineers ahead 1-0. Marcos Bravo extended the lead in the 33rd minute with a goal assisted by Martin Manzanilla, leaving EOU with a 2-0 advantage entering the half.
Whitman's Henry Pierce attempted to rally the Blues with a goal in the 72nd minute, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. The Mountaineers maintained control throughout the second half, with strong defensive play limiting Whitman's opportunities.
Eastern Oregon dominated in terms of shots, outshooting the Blues 18-7, with six of those shots being on target compared to Whitman's three. The Blues' three goalkeepers were kept busy throughout the contest, recording four saves between them. The Mountaineers' goalkeeper, Anthony Lemus, made two crucial saves to help preserve the lead.
Both teams displayed physical play, resulting in multiple yellow cards. Whitman received five cautions, while Eastern Oregon had one. The match saw the Mountaineers commit seven fouls compared to Whitman's four.
Scoring Summary:
Key Statistics:
- Shots: EOU 18, WHI 7
- Shots on Goal: EOU 6, WHI 3
- Saves: EOU 2, WHI 4
- Corner Kicks: EOU 1, WHI 4
- Fouls: EOU 7, WHI 4
- Possession: EOU 57%, WHI 43%
The Mounties will look ahead to their next matchup on September 8th, returning home to face Simpson University at Community Stadium.
