Soccer team continues to dominate
The Utah State University Eastern men’s soccer team continued conference play with a road test against a tough Snow College team.
Defense was the storyline in the first half as both teams entered the halftime break knotted at 0-0. The Eagles had their chances, taking 11 shots in the half, but credit to the Snow goalkeeper for three saves, keeping Eastern off the scoreboard.
Casey Stracher got an opportunity in the 55th minute, scoring on a ball assisted by Osvaldo Escalona. Stracher’s second goal of the season was the difference as Eastern prevailed 1-0 over the Badgers.
The Eagles experienced their first loss of the season against Salt Lake Community College. On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Eagles faced a tough opponent, the Salt Lake Bruins. In the first half, both teams struggled offensively thanks to USU Eastern’s goalie Mathias Del Lago. Del Lago held the bruins scoreless in the first half, recording six saves in the first 45 minutes.
Salt Lake opened the second half with a furious attack of three goals, taking a commanding 3-0 lead over the Eagles. William Mugisha scored at the 90 minute to ensure that Eastern would not be shut out, but the answer came too late as the Eagles fell 3-1.
Looking for a bounce-back match against the Colorado Northwestern Spartans, USU Eastern proved to be too much, dominating 4-0. William Mugisha scored two goals, pushing his season total to 12 on the season. Aiden McMullin and Jaxson Lesueur also scored in the match, McMullin’s third of the year and Lesueur’s first.
The Eagles will next take on the Truckee Meadows Lizards as the second half of the season begins. Eastern will host the Lizards, on Oct. 5, before hosting the Gladiators of Pacific Northwest Christian College on Oct. 7.
