The Seattle University men's soccer team created scoring opportunities early in the match, but Northern Illinois was able to take advantage of its chances in earning a 3-0 victory Saturday in the third match of the Hensor/Zaher Memorial Classic hosted by Oregon State at Lorenz Field.
Seattle University had better scoring chances throughout the first half, keeping Northern Illinois goalie Jordan Godsey busy with four shots on goal, including two from Will Banchero (West Seattle, Wash.), in the first 31 minutes of the match. The Huskies converted on their first chance, as Luis de la Cerda curved a corner kick from the right side into the upper left corner of the net with eight and a half minutes remaining in the first half.
Northern Illinois (5-3-1) solidified its hold on the match halfway through the second half, as Brad Horton sent a crossing pass into the SeattleU box. Francis Otira received the pass and headed the ball into the net to give the Huskies a 2-0 lead. With about 11 minutes remaining in the match, Johnny Tyma's crossing pass was punched into the net by de la Cerda from ten yards out for an insurance goal.
Godsey finished with five saves in picking up the shutout for the Huskies, while Ivan Dizdar (Phoenix, Ariz.) was credited with one save in his first start for Seattle University. The Redhawks were missing some key players, as Demaci Roussos (Sacramento, Calif.) and Kyle Peterman (Boise, Idaho) were forced to sit out Saturday's match after receiving red cards in the previous contest against Marist, while John Pegg (Edmonton, Alberta) is in Lebanon playing for the Canadian U20 team at the Francophone Games.
Seattle University (1-6-1) will have a week to prepare for its next match, as Simon Fraser comes to Championship Field next Saturday, Oct. 3, for a 2:30 p.m. contest.