CANYON, Texas – The calendar shows that it is Friday the 13th, and for the Western Washington University men's soccer team, it was definitely an unlucky day.
Despite out-shooting No. 6 nationally-ranked West Texas A&M 13-11, including a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal, it was an own goal in the 75th minute that was the deciding factor in a 1-0 loss for the Vikings Friday evening on The Pitch on the WTAMU campus.
Early in the 75th minute, the Vikings took control of the ball deep on their own half of the field when junior defender Camron Miller (Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak/Whatcom CC) passed the ball back towards sophomore goalkeeper Brandon Wolter (Vancouver, WA/Union). But there was some miscommunication on the pass, and the ball dribbled through the box and into the goal for an own goal at the 74:13 mark.
The Vikings had a great chance to forge ahead in the 72nd minute when junior midfielder Drew Farnsworth (Auckland, New Zealand) fired a shot on goal that was saved by WTAMU keeper Colin Burgiel at the 71:18 mark.
Following the own goal, the Vikings put together a furious rally that resulted in three shots in the 88thminute, but could not find the equalizer.
WWU drops to 1-2-0 on the season and will head to Golden, Colorado to face Colorado School of Mines on Monday with kickoff at 5:30 pm MT/4:30 pm PT at Stermole Stadium.
After advancing to the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals last season, West Texas A&M improved to 2-0-0 on the season with the win in its home opener. The Buffaloes will host Seattle Pacific on Saturday on their home field.
WWU continues its road trip on Monday traveling to Golden, Colorado to play the Colorado School of Mines (5:30 pm MT/4:30 pm PT). The complete 18-match regular-season schedule, in addition to roster information and social media posts, can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com/MSOC.
#6 West Texas A&M 1, Western Washington 0
Date: September 13, 2019
Field: The Pitch Site: Canyon, TX
Attendance: 186
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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Western Washington...... 0 0 - 0
#6 West Texas A&M....... 0 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 74:13 WTAMU Own Goal by WWU
Shots: WWU 13, WTAMU 11
Shots on Goal: WWU 5, WTAMU 3
Saves: WWU 2 (Wolter – 2), WTAMU 5 (Burgiel - 5)
Kits: WWU – Navy; WTAMU – White
Fans can follow WWU men's soccer online at WWUVikings.com/MSoc, and via social media on Twitter (@SoccerWWU), Instagram (@wwu_msoccer) and Facebook (@WWUsoccermens). All home matches feature a live webcast, as well as most road matches, with links on how to follow the games available at WWUVikings.com/Live.
The Western Washington University men's soccer program enters its 40th season at the varsity level in 2019 with head coach Greg Brisbon leading the program in his seventh season as the head coach. The program has recorded an overall record at or above the .500 mark in six of the last seven seasons, including a 11-6-1 mark overall in 2018 and a 7-4-1 mark in the GNAC to finish second in the conference. In 2016 the Vikings advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships for the first time in program history, using a late-season surge that saw the Vikings 5-0-1 over the last six matches to advance to the postseason. WWU beat 19th-ranked Dixie State in the first round of the NCAA Championships 3-2 in overtime on a golden goal header. Overall the program has produced 43 GNAC Players of the Week selections, 27 First Team All-GNAC players and 3 GNAC Players of the Year since joining the conference in 2001.
