PUC hosted the La Sierra University Golden Eagles Friday
afternoon.The matchwas the first evercollegiate soccer gamebetween
two Seventh-day Adventist affiliated institutions. Energy was high and the game
began very aggressively, and it seemed to elevate as the game progressed. The
aggressive play resulted in each team committing 17 fouls apiece. Of those 34
fouls, 23 were committed in the second period. La Sierraput
moreshots towards the goal and it wouldeventually pay off, with
a2-0 win over the Pioneers.
La Sierra's first goal came in the 32nd minute of play. Ramon Santiago found Jose Moreno for a
shot that was out of the reach of PUC goalie Randy Castanaza. It was a
controversial goal to say the least. After what looked to be a sensational
save by Castanaza, the assistant referee ruled that the ball had crossed the
goal line, giving LSU the lead. PUC could not convert on a few good shot
opportunities in the final minutes of the first half, and the half ended with
La Sierra ahead 1-0.
The second half was much like the first as the aggressive
play continued. The second half also found La Sierra taking more shots than the
Pioneers. La Sierra had 21 shots on the game to the Pioneers 10; eleven of the
21 shots came in the second half. One of those 11 shots found the goal in the
88th minute of play and allowed La Sierra to take a two-goal
lead on the Pioneers, clinching the victory.
Jose Moreno and Gian Luca Gibbons each had a goal for La
Sierra. Ramon Santiago and Kenney Bonanken each had one assist on the day, and
goalie Gabriel Esqueda hadfour saves on the day.
With the loss the Pioneers fall to 0-5-1 on the season. La
Sierra improves to 7-7-1 on the season.
La Sierra went on to beat NCAA DII team Academy of Arts on Sunday following the PUC win. Luis Escamilla lead the Golden Eagles with two goals in the win.
