KIRKLAND, Wash. – Mohamed Oulare didn't get the start for Argo soccer vs. Northwest University, but the senior forward made his presence felt, scoring both goals in a 2-1 comeback win for UGF. The Argos trailed the Eagles 1-0 after the first half but dominated play in the second half to get the win.
Northwest's goal came when the Eagles earned a penalty shot in the 32nd minute off of a UGF hand ball. The initial effort was stopped by sophomore goalkeeper Marc Girones who guess correctly on a low shot to the left post but the ball deflected off of him and the PK taker followed his shot and scored on the empty net.
That goal was the differentiating factor in a closely played first period, with the shot totals just favoring UGF 7-5. Each team also finished the half with 1 save, 1 corner, and 1 offsides call.
Down 1-0, UGF took control of play for the final 45 minutes. The Argo's outshot the Eagles 15-6 in the second half, including 7 shots on goal. Five of those shots were turned away but the NU keeper, but two shots, both from Oulare, found their way between the pipes.
Oulare's first goal came in the 53rd minute when a left-to-right cross found the head of freshman Cole Myers near the back post. Myers send the ball back across the face of the NU net to Oulare who was waiting at the left post to finish the play.
Just two minutes later, Argo freshman Alex Williams got another shot on goal with a header. His effort was followed by shots on goal from junior forward Christoffer Bisbo and freshman forward Cole Myers.
Northwest answered with a few good looks of their own at the UGF net, but just when play looked to evening out, Oulare broke free down the right sideline, charged towards the keeper and clanged a shot off the near post in the 84th minute.
That almost effort was simply a foreshadowing, as less than a minute later, the Guinea native broke free again. This time the run more central and the came from a lofted pass over the Eagle defense from senior midfielder Camilo Martinez. This time Oulare shot a bit earlier in his run at the net and fired it home for a game winning goal.
Despite it being desperation time for Northwest University, the Argos managed to maintain possession of the ball for most of the final five minutes, allowing just one shot from the Eagles that sailed over the UGF crossbar.
The Argos go to 6-5 (5-3) on the season with the win and are now in a three-way tie for 4th in the Cascade Collegiate Conference standings with Northwest University and Corban University. Next for UGF will be a road match against undefeated Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash., on October 15 at 4 p.m. MT.
