Boxers Stay in 1st with Hard-Fought Win over Bruins

PACIFIC 2, GEORGE FOX 0:

www.georgefox.edu

NEWBERG, Ore. - A fiesty George Fox University defense held the Northwest Conference’s first-place team scoreless for over 55 minutes before the visiting Pacific University Boxers finally broke through for a pair of goals and a 2-0 win over the Bruins in men’s soccer action Sunday afternoon here at the Austin Sports Complex.

Pacific, ranked 23rd in the NCAA Division III by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, out-shot the Bruins 11-0 in the first half and 4-0 in shots on goal, but George Fox keeper Elliott Davis had four saves and the Bruins’ defensive line often disrupted the Boxers’ efforts to attack.

The Boxers stepped up the offensive pace in the second half and finally cashed in during the 58th minute. Mason Nakama sent a long cross from the right sideline into the penalty box, where Jasem Jaihouni collected it and punched it into the right corner of the net from 15 yards out when Davis stepped out to challenge him. It was Jaihouni’s second goal of the season.

Travis Birrell gave the Boxers some insurance in the 75th minute when he rebounded a deflection by Davis off a shot by Mike Iacolucci and sent it from the right side of the box to the far corner over the Bruins’ prone keeper. It was Birrell’s initial score of the year.

The Pacific defense was stout in its own right, allowing the Bruins only three shots all day. Two were wide and the third, by Kane Ransom, would have been on goal but was blocked by a Pacific defender.

Pacific finished with 26 shots, 12 on goal, with Davis making 10 saves for George Fox. Andrew Stevermer picked up his fifth shutout of the season in goal for the Boxers, although he needed to make no saves.

Pacific (9-1-2, NWC 5-1-1) retained its spot atop the conference standings with 16 points, one point ahead of Pacific Lutheran University, which defeated the University of Puget Sound 3-0 Sunday. George Fox (0-9-1, NWC 0-7) dropped its seventh straight and is still seeking its first goal on its new field.

NEXT: George Fox begins the second half of conference play Saturday at home against Linfield College at 2:30 p.m. The George Fox women will host Willamette University prior to that game at 12:00 noon. ... The Bruins will host a “tailgate pot-luck” dinner following Saturday’s doubleheader for all George Fox soccer supporters and donors ... Pacific returns home to host Willamette Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

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