EUGENE, Ore.  – The Northwest Christian University men's soccer team played a man-down for nearly 20 minutes before giving up the game winning goal on Saturday night, falling in the first overtime to Carroll College, 2-1.
 
The Beacons controlled the early tone in the game and held a 6-3 shot advantage through the first 45 minutes while taking three shots on goal. It was also NCU that struck first, scoring in the 63rd minute when a brilliant 30-yard service pass from Luis Diaz found the head of Victor Irechukwu for the go-ahead score.
 
Just five minutes later, the Fighting Saints found the equalizer when Kyle Thomson scooped up the rebound off a miss saved shot from Ben Dagg and fired it into the back of the net from ten-yards out.
 
With just under ten minutes to play, NCU defender Tito Gomez made a desperation attempt to stop a Carroll drive, pulling down the attacker just outside the box, and taking a red card as a result. The Beacons continued to fight despite the disadvantage, and finished out regulation without another blemish.
 
Nearly the entire overtime period played out in a similar fashion before an Alessio Georgiades corner kick with 12 seconds remaining led to the game winning goal by Jose Porras.
 
The Fighting Saints (3-3, 2-3 CCC) ended the night holding a 20-12 lead in shots but just a 7-6 advantage in shots-on-goal. Kaden Connor made four saves in picking up the 99+ minute victory.
 
Julian Hernandez made five saves for the Beacons (2-5-1, 1-2-1).
 
NCU will hit the road for the next four consecutive weekends, beginning with a clash with Southern Oregon University in Ashland next Friday at 3:30 p.m.