Evergreen junior Noah Blake provided the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute as the Geoducks men’s soccer team defeated Pacific 2-1 Sunday at Geoduck Pitch.
The Geoducks had to fight back from a 1-0 halftime deficit after Pacific’s Giovanny Adaya-Ortiz found the back of the net in the 35th minute off of a shot from 10 yards away. Despite trailing, Evergreen held a 5-3 edge over the Boxers in total shots.
Kolby Juarez tied the game in the 51st minute when he nailed an unassisted shot from 30 yards away. It was the first goal for the senior midfielder since he netted a pair against Walla Walla on Oct. 20, 2024.
In the 83rd minute, Juarez ignited the game-winning play with a crossing pass from the right side, and Connor Scanlan dove and passed with a header about seven yards in front of the goal. Blake tapped the ball into the net near the left post for the go-ahead goal.
Two shots by Evergreen in the final five minutes were saved by Pacific goalkeeper Kobi Miyamoto. The Geoducks finished with a 12-8 advantage in total shots.
Senior Tom Cole started in goal for Evergreen before giving way to junior Rico Ewell in the second half, as has been the case so far this young season. However, Ewell was injured on a play near the goal in the 81st minute, and Cole re-entered. Ewell recorded the only save for the Geoducks early in the second half.
Evergreen (1-0-2) are still unbeaten and will return to action Sunday, Sept. 13 at home against Simpson University, California, at 11 a.m.
