GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The second half was all that really mattered for Argos soccer as the University of Great Falls scored three times for a 3-0 win over Northwest Christian University. The win is the program's first as a member of the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
While the second half held all the scoring, the first half set the tone. UGF dominated possession at the start of the game, but despite letting off 11 shots they were only able to place two on goal. The Argos defense, led by center back Rasmus Madsen, held NCU to only three first half shots, only one of which required freshman keeper Marc Giones to make a save.
Coach Joseph Yeisley's halftime tactics seemed to make a difference in the second half as his team ratcheted the offensive pressure up one more notch. In the fifty-ninth minute the dam finally broke. Forward Christoffer Bisbo won the ball along the left endline in the scrambling aftermath of a UGF corner kick and found teammate Jon-Eric Krans open inside the box. Krans aimed near post and glanced the ball off the pipe before finding the back of the net.
It only took six more minutes for Great Falls to extend the lead. This time it was a powerful shot outside the box from junior Mohammed Oulare that found its way past the Beacon's keeper.
The second half wasn't quite as one-sided as the score suggested with the Beacons increasing their offensive effort as well. NCU got off seven shots in the final 45 minutes, took five corner kicks, and forced Giones to make five saves. Giones finished with five saves and his first career shutout.
In the seventy-eighth minute the Argos got their third and final goal. Sophomore midfielder Camilo Martinez found a streaking Jordan Byland who took a touch inside the penalty box and took a shot that hit the Beacons keeper and rolled over the goalline.
The victory was an important one for the Argos after a handful of close losses earlier in the season. Now at 2-3(1-1) on the season, UGF will play for a winning record in the CCC when they travel to Eastern Oregon University on September 25 at 3:30 pm.
