La Grande, Ore – The Eastern Oregon Mountaineers opened up preseason play hosting the Nighthawks of Northwest Nazarene on Thursday afternoon. A great early season test, NNU entered todays contest the No. 6 ranked team in all of NCAA Division II.
The Nighthawks struck first, scoring two goals in the first half. NNU’s Grady Thurman seized an opportunity in the 37th minute, after an assist by Zakaria Daaou set Thurman up for a strike that was powered into the goal. Thurman wasted no time striking again in the 39th minute, doubling NNU’s lead to 2-0. The EOU players faced an uphill battle as the first half came to a close.
The second half saw a resurgence from EOU as they regrouped for the remainder of the game. The tide finally turned in the 65th minute, after Milton Hernandez closed the deficit to one goal by capitalizing on an assist from Daniel Kropf. With only minutes remaining, the ball ricocheted among players from both teams before Kropf sent the game tying goal into the back of the net.
The Mounties showed tremendous resolve in their 2-2 tie against one of the best teams that Division II has to offer. If Thursday’s season opener is any indication, this will be an exciting group to follow this season.
Eastern Oregon Men’s Soccer will return to the pitch in Surprise, Arizona to face Ottawa University at 8 P.M. August 31st.
Mounties Score Late, Secure Tie Against No. 6 Ranked NNU
