MSOC: SMC Defeats Gonzaga With 89th Minute Goal
10/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Saint Mary's men's soccer team came back from an early two-goal deficit to take down Gonzaga by a 3-2 score on Sunday afternoon in Spokane. Agustin Cazarez scored in the 89th minute to complete the comeback for the Gaels.
"I am very proud of the character we showed today," said head coach Adam Cooper. "This is a very tough road trip with all the travel involved and for us to win after being down 0-2, and the type of loss we had Friday, this shows great character."
With the win, Saint Mary's improves to 5-5-5 overall, 4-2-2 West Coast Conference while Gonzaga drops to 4-9-2, 2-5-1 WCC.
After a 4-0 loss to at Portland on Friday night, the Gaels found themselves down 2-0 quickly to the Zags as Gonzaga scored goals in the 8th and 9th minutes. Julian Godinez got the Gaels on the board in the 12th minute. Godinez fired a shot from 25 yards out off a pass from Cazarez as the Gaels trailed 2-1.
The score would remain 2-1 Gonzaga at halftime as the Gaels held a 9-4 shots advantage but trailed on the scoreboard.
The teams would remain locked in a 2-1 battle, but the Bulldogs were issued a red card in the 69th minute and had to play a man down the rest of the way.
Saint Mary's took advantage of its opportunity as Cazarez scored off of Godinez's free-kick in the 73rd minute to tie it up at 2-2.
It was the Cazarez and Godinez combo again in the 89th minute. Godinez fed the ball from 12 yards out and it skimmed off the top of Cazarez's head to the far post. The Gonzaga keeper was screened on the play and did not have much of a chance for the save.
The victory was also career victory No. 23 for Doug Herrick, breaking Kellan Wilson's (199-01, 03) school record.
"I am very happy for Doug," continued Cooper. "We certainly haven't made it easy these last few games, but he had had a great career thus far and a terrific season right now. I have yet to see a better goalkeeper in collegiate soccer this season."
With two scores, Cazarez is now tied for the team lead with three goals and Godinez is now tied for the team lead with three assists.
Saint Mary's is back in action on Friday, November 4 when it hosts San Francisco at 3:00 p.m. in Saint Mary's Stadium.
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