TULSA, Okla. – The Northeastern State men's soccer team jumped out to a 3-0 lead and held on for the 3-2 triumph over Division I Oral Roberts Friday night at Case Soccer Complex.
 
The RiverHawks were outshot 19-13 and ORU held the advantage in corner kicks (5-4), but three different members of the green and white notched markers in the road win over the Golden Eagles.
 
“We gave a lot of guys an opportunity today, and they were all dynamic in their play,” NSU head coach Rob Czlonka said. “I thought everybody did really well.”
 
NSU took a 1-0 advantage into intermission following a goal from junior midfielder Juan Gonzalez in the 34th minute, which was assisted by freshman forward Joel Mendoza.
 
The RiverHawks quickly added two goals on the other side of the break. Sophomore forward Juan Peralta hit a strike from 20 yards out in the 47th minute, while freshman defender Crosby Lee headed in a goal off a corner kick from Mendoza just a minute later.
 
Oral Roberts was able to notch an own goal in the 53rd minute, and Cody Lofgren added a second Golden Eagle goal in the 61st minute off a deflection, but the RiverHawks withstood a barrage of shots in the final minutes to earn the win.
 
“We went ahead big early in the second half, but we had to try and compose ourselves once ORU started to come back,” Czlonka said. “We had to regain control of the game, and we were able to do that. That's a big test for a young team, so I was very proud of the guys.”
 
Senior goalkeeper Jordan Ladbrooke was in net for the first 69:25. He recorded six saves and allowed the two ORU goals. Freshman goalkeeper Eric Shephard played the final 20:35 and did not allow a goal, while making one save.
 
Daniel McCarthy took the loss for ORU after allowing three goals and recording three saves in 90 minutes of action.
 
Northeastern State will next play a home exhibition contest at 7 p.m. August 24 against Oklahoma Baptist.
 
Scoring Summary
NSU     1          2          –          3
ORU     0          2          –          2
 
Individual Scoring
Juan Gonzalez (NSU) at 33:14 (Joel Mendoza)
Juan Peralta (NSU) at 46:39
Crosby Lee (NSU) at 47:44 (Joel Mendoza)
Own Goal (ORU) at 52:26
Cody Lofgren (ORU) at 60:13 (Gerardo Salas)
 
Goalkeeper Saves
Jordan Ladbrooke (NSU) – 6
Eric Shephard (NSU) – 1
Team (NSU) – 1
Daniel McCarthy (ORU) – 3
 
-GoRiverHawksGo.com-