FOREST GROVE, Ore.  – The Northwest Christian University men's soccer team came back from a 2-0 first-half deficit to record a 2-2 tie with Pacific University in non-conference action on Saturday night.
 
The first 30 minutes belonged to the Boxers as they quickly went ahead 2-0. In the 12th minute starting keeper John Castro made a save on a shot from near the penalty circle, but the Boxers Keola Norton was able to collect the rebound and fire home the rebound for the 1-0 lead.
 
An injury soon forced Castro to hit the sideline and after 17 minutes freshman Levi Davidson was called upon for his first collegiate action between the pipes. Davidson would end up going the final 93 minutes giving up just one early goal while making four saves to secure the draw.
 
Norton was again in on the action for the second goal as he chipped a ball in from 20 yards where Sofian Mahmoud scored from under ten feet from the net. The first half ended with Pacific holding 9-1 advantage in shots with NCU unable to take a single shot on goal.
 
Everything turned around in the second half. The Beacons wasted no time in getting on the board, scoring on their first possession. Freshman Victor Irechukwu broke away to go one-on-one with the Pacific keeper but his shot was blocked. Then, similar to the Boxers first goal, freshman Tyler Farmer (pictured) was there for the rebound, firing home his first career score.
 
It only took 12 minutes for the Beacons to find the equalizer with Irechukwu again heavily involved in the play. This time his pass at the top of the box left Isaiah Blake open for a blast from just inside the 18 as NCU tied things up.
 
The Beacons continued to dominate play throughout the second half and both overtimes, holding a 9-4 advantage in shots over the final 65 minutes, but were never able to get the game-winner across the goal line.
 
Head Coach Benny Flores said, "I was really pleased with the fight in the guys tonight. We came out and Pacific really took it to us, but the guys showed great heart and resolve and fought hard to tie it up."
 
With four freshman either starting or seeing significant playing time, Flores is pleased with the contributions of his youngsters. "Our young guys played well tonight," he said. "Tyler got his first goal and Levi really came up big when Castro went down. Overall, all our freshmen have been playing well. I am excited about the future of Beacon soccer.
 
The Beacons (1-1-1) will turn around and look to give coach Flores his first on-field victory on Tuesday night when they travel to face Linfield College at 6:00 p.m. NCU has one win on the season thanks to a forfeit victory awarded for Trinity Lutheran College's cancellation in August.