September 24, 2009
Lacey, WA – Austin Kelley scored the game winning goal for Saint Martin’s with just under five minute left to play giving the Saints a 2-1 win over Northwest Nazarene in a double overtime Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchup Thursday afternoon at the Regional Athletic Complex.
Kelley scored on a header into the upper right hand corner off of a Brandon Scott throw in. The win puts the Saints at 6-4-0 overall and 1-0-0 in GNAC play.
“We were very good in the last 10 minutes of regulation and good too in overtime as we created several great chances to score,” said head coach Rob Walker. “We lost in overtime to Chico State earlier in the year on a similar long throw play. Austin's goal is something he's been due for all season and his effort to get free in a tight space in the middle of the penalty was absolutely top-class.”
Northwest Nazarene got on the board first as Alonso Avila scored in the 39th minute with an assist from Alex Mangeac. The Crusaders held onto the 1-0 through halftime.
SMU evened things up at the 54:54 mark as Xan Nixon played a through ball inside the far post. Vlad Voin and Victor Kelmel were credited with the assists.
“The way the Crusaders got themselves moving in midfield and their goal to take a 1-0 lead put us on the wrong foot,” said Rob Walker. “I thought the boys poured their hearts out in the second half and Vlad’s pass to Xan for the tying goal was just the lift we needed.”
Saint Martin’s outshot NNU 23 -8 in the contest; including sending five shots at the net in the first overtime period but couldn’t connect.
Zac Lubin had four saves in goal for the Saints while NNU keeper Alexander Engemann had five saves.
The Saints remain at home taking on Montana State Billings Saturday afternoon at 3pm at the Regional Athletic Complex in the second game of a doubleheader following the women’s game at 1pm.