EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University men's soccer team won their third consecutive CCC game on Wednesday afternoon, knocking off Evergreen, 1-0.
 
The victory was NCU's first win in eight tries on the road against the Geoducks (4-7-1, 4-4-1 CCC), and couldn't have come at a better time with the Beacons making a late charge for a possible post-season berth. With three straight CCC wins, also an NCU first, the Beacons now have 10 points and are sixth in the conference, sitting three points behind both Warner Pacific and Evergreen, tied for the fourth and fifth spots with 13 points. All three teams have five games remaining in the regular season.
 
The Geoducks dominated in shots, 17-8, but couldn't get the ball past Northwest Christian keeper John Castro (pictured), who notched his first shutout. Castro was busy all afternoon, coming up big with multiple saves as Evergreen applied heavy pressure. Evergreen put eight of their shots on goal and also had a close call with a shot off the crossbar in the second half.
 
Four minutes into the second period, Castro made a diving save and four minutes later he came off his line to take the ball off of the foot of a swift Evergreen forward who got in behind the defense.

With 24 minutes to play a Geoduck midfielder made a near-post run, flicked a pass from a teammate on goal, only to see a reaction stop by Castro. Finally, with 19 minutes remaining ESC beat Castro from the top of the box, only to see the effort crash off of the crossbar.

The winning goal For NCU came following an Evergreen foul about 40 yards from goal. Josh Bramlett hit a long free-kick into the center of the box, clearing the heads of several players and bouncing to Ryan Herriage on the back post. His first-time volley from close range beat the keeper for the game-winner.
 
NCU (4-7-2, 3-5-1) finished the night with six shots on goal, forcing Geoduck keeper Angel Guerra into five saves. Castro finished the night with eight saves for NCU in the spot start, replacing usual starter Bren Bletscher who was nursing an injury.
 
Head Coach Brett Bentley said, "Things have started to go in our favor and it is something that is well deserved for all the hard work the guys have been putting in. I credit our depth today. Castro did a great job for us in goal and all of the guys who came in off the bench raised the level of play and kept our intensity very high."
 
NCU remains on the road this Saturday, traveling to face The College of Idaho (5-8, 2-7) at 3 p.m. MST. NCU knocked off the Yotes at home last Saturday, 1-0 and will be looking for their first ever win in Caldwell.