Sept. 8, 2016 Box Score
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - MSU Denver broke a halftime tie with a goal in the 49th minute en route to a 2-1 victory over the Western Washington University men's soccer team Thursday evening at Harrington Field, handing the Vikings their first defeat of the season.
D'Angelo Escobar netted the match-winning goal for MSU Denver (2-1-0) just after halftime. As WWU attempted to clear the ball near its own 18-yard box, Escobar was able to get his foot to the loose ball and blast a shot into the net from the top of box with a half volley.
The Roadrunners had quickly grabbed a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 11th minute by Josh Belfrage. He finished from 4 yards away in a crowded box after his teammate Dimitri Ney dribbled to the end line and sent a low cross from the right side in front of the goal.
Senior Eleazar Galvan (Chelan, WA/Skagit Valley College) pulled the Vikings (1-1-1) even with his first goal of the season in the 31st minute, scoring from 15 yards away on a one-touch finish with assists from junior Anthony Dean (Amsterdam, The Netherlands/Bellevue College) and junior Ibra Drame (Seattle, WA/Nathan Hale/Seattle U). Galvan took a pass just inside the top of the 18-yard box and finished to the lower left corner of the net.
The Vikings held a slight edge in shots, 13-10. WWU fired 10 of its shots in the second half, including a shot by junior Luke Olney (Enumclaw/WA) in the 79th minute that deflected off the cross bar.
Junior Tyler Visten (Mount Vernon, WA/Skagit Valley College) collected 1 save for WWU while MSU Denver goalkeeper Hayden Rus also collected 1 save.
The Roadrunners put 3 shots on frame while the Vikings placed 2 shots on goal. The game featured a combined 35 fouls between the teams and 8 yellow cards were issued.
WWU returns to action on Saturday, hosting Colorado Christian at Harrington Field (7 pm). The game is part of a soccer tripleheader at Harrington Field on Saturday. The day will start with a neutral site men's match between Notre Dame de Namur and Simon Fraser taking place at 1 pm, followed by the WWU women facing Notre Dame de Namur at 4 pm.
