With 1:17 remaining in regulation, Mutanda Kwesele (, ) set up Chris Hodges (, ) for the game-winning goal as the men’s soccer team earned an important 1-0 victory over the Friday night at Merlo Field.
Kwesele fed Hodges along the right side of the field, and Hodges slipped a 10-yard shot past goalie Austin Guerrero just inside the left post for his third career goal. It was Kwesele’s second assist of the season.
, outshooting 15-7 in the match, took it to the Pilots early, as the Redhawks had several chances in the first part of the first half. had a solid chance in the 11th minute, but Leland Wright’s shot from the right wing was saved by Emerson DeOliveira (). Andrew Kreiter () worked his way into the box in the 34th minute, but his shot was stopped by Guerrero.
In the first five minutes of the second half, a shot by Kyle Peterman () was saved by Guerrero, followed by an attempt from Kreiter that hit the crossbar. After DeOliveira made a save on a shot from Frankie Lopez, Ian Walsh () hit a shot from the left wing that Guerrero was able to handle. Neither team was able to put a shot on goal until Hodges’ tally.
With two saves, DeOliveira was able to earn his fourth shutout of the season, lowering his goals against average to 0.29. (4-7-2) received five saves from Guerrero, but the offense struggled as the team’s seven shots came from only three different Pilots, led by Lopez with three shots. Seven different Redhawks were credited with at least one shot, led by Peterman with four attempts.
With the victory, clinches its eighth straight winning season. Hodges becomes the 13th different player to score at least one goal this season. The Redhawks improve their record against Division I opponents this season to 6-2-0.
(8-3-1) has two weeks off before playing its final home match of the season against Simon Fraser Saturday, Nov. 1, beginning at 2:30 p.m. at Championship Field. The Redhawks defeated the Clan on Sept. 27 in , B.C., 1-0, on a late goal by Peterman.