OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The Evergreen State College took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Juan Mendez (Jr., M) just under 16 minutes into the Geoduck's game with Bushnell University on Saturday, Oct. 12, but the Beacons scored with less than 20 minutes left to force a 1-1 tie at Geoduck Pitch. 

Evergreen moved to 2-7-1 on the season, 2-4-1 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference. Bushnell ended the game at 6-3-3 overall and 2-3-2 in the CCC.

Mendez shot from 10 yards into the left corner of the goal at 15:50. He was assisted by Emmanuel Nicasio (Sr., M) with a nice pass through the defense. Nicasio provided many quality passes during the  game and also took five shots to match teammate Alejandro Gallegos (Jr., D) for game-high honors. Ian Palma and Brady Housley registered four shots each for the Beacons.

Bushnell had two great chances to tie the game in the first half. Both opportunities were provided by Francisco Cayolla. At 20:48, Cayolla sent a shot toward the left post that Evergreen goalkeeper Brendan Gribek (Sr.) saved off his right shoulder. The power of the shot and Gribek's deflection sent it wide right. Cayolla just missed scoring at 42:39 when his shot hit the crossbar. 

Nearly a minute later, at the 43:35 mark, a goal for the Geoducks by Nicasio was disallowed due to an offside call. Evergreen remained in front 1-0 at the break.

The Geoducks had another chance to double the lead just 1:38 into the second half. A foul by the Beacons in the penalty area led to a penalty kick. Nicasio took the kick, but his shot toward the lower left corner of the net was save by Bushnell goalie Willaim Haberfield.

Bushnell earned the tying goal at 71:31 on a shot by Brady Housley from 30 yards into the upper left corner. Nicolas Guerrero registered an assist on the play. The goal ended a strong 18 minutes of action for the Beacons.

Evergreen regained its energy following the goal. The Geoducks registered eight shots during the remainder of the game. Two shots, by Finley Schumacher Sundberg (So., F) at 84:37 and by Gallegos at 85:35 forced Haberfield to make quality saves. Bushnell took the final two shots, but both went wide.

The tie ended with close stats for shots and saves. Evergreen achieved an 18-17 margin in total shots. Both teams placed six shots on target. Gribek and Haberfield each provided their team with five saves. The Geoducks accumulated six corner kicks, while the Beacons finished with three corners.

Up next for Evergreen will be a home game against Rocky Mountain College at Geoduck Pitch on Friday, Oct. 18. Game time is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. PDT.