GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Finishing continued to be an unsolvable riddle for the Argos in a 3-0 loss to Evergreen State College on UGF's senior day.
As they did the previous day against Northwest University, perhaps even more so, Great Falls dominated the first 15 minutes of the match and much of the first half. The Geoducks barely saw the ball early in the first half as UGF quickly amassed five shots on goal.
Senior forward Jon-Eric Krans had one of UGF's best scoring chances of the day, flicking the ball over an on-charging keeper inside the box only to have the ball sail over the open net. Krans and others helped UGF outshoot ESC 11-3 in the first half, including eight shots on goal.
The Argos were stifling defensively, not letting any shots through to freshman keeper Marc Girones. Despite all the statistical advantages, however, the Argonauts couldn't take a lead, a fact that would haunt them in the second half.
Play in the second half didn't start all that differently from the first, but the Geoducks slowly took more control of the game. First, ESC forced Girones into his first and only save of the day. Then in the 68th minute a cross from the wing found an open Geoduck at the back post for the game's first goal.
Now down again after dominating most of a game, the Argos began to press forward hoping to break their scoreless spell. While that strategy continued to produce shots and shots on goal, it failed in its ultimate intent and instead left the UGF defense open to counterattacks.
The Geoducks took advantage of that, scoring two more goals before the second half was over.
Krans led all Argos in shots on goal with four others placing two shots on frame. UGF finished the match outshooting their opponent 21-11.
The loss puts UGF at 7-5 (5-3) on the year and essentially drops them out of contention for the Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season championship, although they have already clinched a spot in the CCC playoffs. The team will look to solve the scoring puzzle when the travel to Oregon Tech on October 23 at 4:30 p.m.
