OLYMPIA, Wash. --
Luca Viana (Jr., F) scored a goal for The Evergreen State College just 7:12 into the first half, and goalkeeper
Rico Ewell (Jr.) saved a penalty kick in the second half to preserve a 1-1 tie, as the Geoducks battled Ottawa University (Ariz.) 1-1 on Thursday, Aug. 27 at Geoduck Pitch. Daniel Coke scored Ottawa's goal at 50:12.
It was Evergreen's season opener, with the Geoducks moving to 0-0-1 on the season. The Spirit ended the game with a 1-1-1 overall record.
Viana opened the scoring with a shot from five yards near the right post. The goal was earned following two short passes in the penalty area.
Kolby Juarez (Sr., M) passed from several yards left of the goal and about eight yards out. The ball went to Alex Zimmerman (Sr., F), who sent the ball from just inside the left edge of the six-yard box to Viana. Juarez and Zimmerman received assists.
Evergreen's early goal kept the Geoducks in front 1-0 for the remainder of the half. The Geoducks held a 6-5 lead in total shots at the break. Goalkeeper
Tom Cole (Sr.) registered one save in the first half.
Ottawa equalized the score about five minutes into the second half on the goal by Coke. He shot from eight yards with the ball hitting the lower left corner of the net. Carlos Rodriguez earned an assist for the Spirit.
The Spirit had a chance to gain the lead when a penalty kick was awarded to Ottawa at 71:53. Coke took the penalty kick, which was saved by Ewell, who rejected the shot to his left. Ewell earned a total of three saves while playing the final 45 minutes for the Geoducks.
Thomas Berlinski of Ottawa received a red card for denying a goal scoring opportunity at 80:23. The Geoducks were unable to score on the ensuing free kick.
Even so, Evergreen had two chances to score in the final minute. The Geoducks took a corner kick with 31 seconds to go, but the Spirit cleared the ball. Evergreen regained possession, and
Cooper Davis (Jr., D) took a shot that went wide left with five seconds to play.
Ottawa claimed a 14-9 advantage in total shots. The Spirit finished with a 6-2 edge in shots on target and a 6-2 margin in corner kicks. Ottawa goalie Major Evans played all 90 minutes and earned one save.
The Geoducks will return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at Geoduck Pitch against Linfield University. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. PDT.
