MSOC | Win Over Gonzaga Keeps WCC Title Hopes Alive
11/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
MORAGA, Calif. — Anders Engebretsen and the Gaels (8-7-3, 4-2 WCC) took down conference-rival Gonzaga 3-1 on Sunday afternoon to keep their West Coast Conference title hopes alive. The victory marked the third win in three conference games at home this year for Saint Mary's.
Engebretsen scored two goals for the Gaels in the win, including the game-winning goal in the 55th minute of play. Early in the second half, the Norwegian native controlled Rafael Sanchez's cross from the left corner with his chest and one-timed a shot into the net to break the 1-1 tie. Engebretsen would fire off three shots in total during the match.
Great fight today," said Saint Mary's head coach Adam Cooper. "Going undefeated at home in conference is not easy to do in this conference, so I'm very proud of the boys."
Earlier in the action, Joseph Restani had put the Gaels on the board in the 38th minute on a breakaway starting at midfield. Teammate Frederick Karman created a turnover in the Gaels half and sent an excellent through ball to Restani who received the pass mid-sprint. Restani finished his run by sneaking a shot between Gonzaga goalkeeper Toby Holstein's legs and the ball trickled into the net to put the Gaels up 1-0.
Gonzaga (8-8-1, 2-4 WCC) scored their only goal of the game in the 43rd minute when Connor Ourada headed a cross off the goal post and teammate Jakob Granlund tapped in the rebound along the goal line for an easy tally. Granlund currently leads the Bulldogs in points and his game-tying goal was his fourth of the season.
Engebretsen iced the victory for Saint Mary's with his second goal of the match in the 90th minute. Karman also collected his second assist of the match as his cross found Engebretsen at the left post for an easy tap-in goal. Each with goals today, Restani and Engebretsen now lead the Gaels offense with four goals a piece for the season.
With the win, the Gaels remain in the hunt for the West Coast Conference title. Saint Mary's could win a tiebreaker for first place with a win next week against Portland and a Pacific draw or loss on the road against Gonzaga.
We'll go to Portland and throw all the chips out and whatever happens, happens," said Cooper. "We'll try to bring the title back to Saint Mary's."
As part of the Senior Day festivities, the game was preceded by a moment of recognition for three SMC seniors. Rafael Sanchez, Alex Braman, and Lukas Isaacson were all honored prior to the match as they played their final game as Gaels at Saint Mary's Stadium.
The Gaels will play their final game of the season on the road on Saturday, November 12th against Portland. Tickets for the match taking place in Portland can be purchased here or you can watch the game live on GaelVision.
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