Geoducks Open 2005 with Win

Morningside falls to Evergreen 4-1

August 23, 2005

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Even without the top three goal-scorers from last fall, the Evergreen men's soccer team was still too much for visiting Morningside College tonight in Olympia. The Geoducks fired a shot off the post in the first minute of the game to put the Mustangs on their heels and kept the pressure on throughout the game.

Greg Preciado and freshman midfielder Ryan Day controlled the ball for Evergreen much of the first period. Their work paid off when freshman midfielder Jason Bjorgo beat the Morningside defense in the 9th minute and scored his first goal as a Geoduck.

Freshman Jonathan Willoughby scored Evergreen's second goal at the 55:00 mark off a forty-yard service from defender Luke Arthur. Willoughby out-jumped Mustang keeper Jesse Miech for the high ball and headed it into an empty net.

Greg Preciado looked to add to the Geoduck lead as the Mustangs were called for a foul in the penalty area. But Preciado's penalty kick was saved by Miech to keep the game within reach.

But in the 66th minute, it was senior Jordan Saxman who added to Evergreen's lead as he powered a blast past a helpless Miech.

The Mustangs got a goal back late in the game at the Evergreen defense took down the Mustang's Jason Penke in the box and Brandon Wylie converted the penalty.

With Evergreen leading 3-1, the Mustangs were called for a foul 25 yards from goal. Junior forward bent the ensuing free kick over the wall and past the Morningside keeper.

Evergreen finished the game with 29 shots and forced 11 Mustang saves. Sean Oliver collected one first-half save on an acrobatic tip over the crossbar when the Mustangs caught the Geoduck keeper off his line and nearly chipped him from 45. Freshman Ryan Riley tended the nets for Evergreen in the second stanza and made two saves on four Mustang shots.

Evergreen returns to action September 3rd and 4th when they host the Arno Zoske Tournament. Evergreen will play Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and the University of British Columbia Sunday at 1:00 p.m.