GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The inability of the Argo soccer team to finish, and an unlucky deflection, ended the team's six game winning streak as UGF lost to Northwest University 1-0.
Coach Joseph Yeisley's squad looked poised to extend their streak based on the first 15 minutes. In that first part of the match the Argos dominated almost all of the possession, threatening the NU net with regularity. Headers from junior forward Ian Ooko and senior captain Jon-Eric Krans looked dangerous but failed to find the net, as did a number of shots from outside the box.
Having survived the Argo's best efforts, the Eagles gained some control of the game but still looked like the less productive team. The Eagle's keeper Daniel Christenson, along with a few team blocks, accounted for seven saves in the first 45 minutes as UGF outshot NU 11-5.
UGF planned on using the first few minutes of the second half to mount anther continuous attack, only this time hoping to score from it, but it was Northwest that broke the tie.
Just slightly less than four minutes into the half the Eagles possessed the ball into the left side of the box and a shot from the wing deflected off an Argo defender and past keeper Marc Girones. The effort was one of just four NU shots on goal but it was enough to take a lead.
As the half wore on, Great Falls continued to possess and placed cross after cross into the opponent's penalty box but every time the Eagle's defense and keeper were up to the task. The Argos earned four corner kicks in the second half and forced NU into four more saves but could never manage that elusive equalizer.
The Argos put 11 shots on goal, two each coming from Ooko, senior Rodrigo Souza, and senior Louis Torres. They also outshot Northwest 17-11 on the day.
The loss drops the Argos out of contention for first place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, at least for now, with a record of 7-4 (5-2). Their next match, a home contest against Evergreen State College, could help remedy that, however, as the Geoducks are one of three CCC teams with just one loss. That match will take place at Siebel Soccer Park on October 17 at 3:30 p.m.
