No. 17 Eagles open conference to play at home
The No. 17 USU Eastern men’s soccer team has concluded preseason play, and is now set to begin Scenic West conference play.
The Eagles start conference with a 2-0 record, with wins over Northwest College and Central Wyoming College. Preseason play also included scrimmages against Casper College, Colorado Mesa University and Westminster College.
William Mushiga shined in the non-conference schedule, scoring four goals in two matches, including a hat trick against Central Wyoming. Five other Eagles have contributed to a stout Eagle attack.
Diego Usceche has seen the majority of the time as goalkeeper for Eastern. Usceche has started both matches and has totaled five saves, allowing just three goals.
September 2 marked the beginning of Scenic West Conference play for USU Eastern. The Eagles welcomed the Colorado Northwestern Spartans to Castleview Hospital Field.
William Mugisha wasted no time, scoring his fifth goal of the season in the 22nd minute. Aleksander Mihajlovic scored in the 28th minute, assisted by Osvaldo Escalona, to give the Eagles a 2-0 advantage before the end of the first half. The goal was Mihajlovic’s first of the young season.
Mugisha continued to score at a high rate, adding his second of the day in the 65th minute, assisted by Eric Estrada. The sophomore has six goals this season. DJ Gillespe scored the dagger in the 81st minute to secure Eastern’s first conference win, 4-0.
To compliment the dominant offensive play by the Eagles, USU Eastern held the Spartans to just three shots in the match. Goalkeeper Diego Useche saved all three Spartan shots.
Following the win, Eastern will continue conference play with a trip to Kennewick, Washington to take on newly-added conference foe, Pacific Northwest Christian College. The match is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sep. 7.
