SPOKANE, Wash. – Sophomore forward
Marcelo Acuna recorded his second 3-point match of the season and scored his second game winner in as many games as HBU defeated Milwaukee, 2-1, on the opening day of the Gonzaga Invitational Friday.
"The b
oys played a hard fought game today," said HBU head coach Steve Jones. "We had a nice goal in the first half with Marcelo playing a great through pass to George who placed it past the keeper. Milwaukee had some very good midfielders, and this was the first time that our midfielders had a hard time of controlling the game as we have in all of our other matches. In the second half, we gave up a goal that was a very good shot. The game was back and forth with both of us getting good chances. The boys did a great job of closing the game out with some great defensive efforts to preserve the win. I'm very proud of the boys. In a game that we did some chasing, they found ways to grind it out and find a way to win the match."
Acuna and
George Kelley got things done offensively for HBU (3-2-0), while
Bryan Brody assisted on the game winner.
Philip Poser and
Chance Pope split time in goal, as Poser played the first half and made three saves. Pope allowed a goal and did not record a save, but earned his second win of the season.
Mattias Binder scored for Milwaukee (1-3-1), as he and Nick Moon each had three shots. Agustin Rey made three saves in the losing effort.
Kelley got things going for the Huskies with a goal just eight minutes in, assisted by Acuna. Acuna fed Kelley an up-field pass, who shot and scored from the top of the six-yard box for the 1-0 HBU lead.
Milwaukee edged HBU in shots, 9-8, as each team had three shots on goal. The Panthers also had a slight advantage in corner kicks, 3-2.
The Panthers tied the match nine minutes into the second half as Binder scored from the top of the box, assisted by Francesco Saporito.
In the 73rd minute, following an HBU corner,
Darrell Johnson had a fantastic scoring chance, shooting from point blank range at the top of the box, but Agustin made a diving stop to keep the match tied.
Moments later, Acuna earned his third point of the match as he grabbed a loose ball from the top of the box, spun his defender off, and beat a diving Agustin to give the Huskies a 2-1 lead with 15 minutes remaining in regulation.
Milwaukee had a corner opportunity with five minutes remaining in regulation, but the header attempt to equalize went wide.
Milwaukee outshot HBU, 9-7, in the second half and 18-15 in the match. Each team had three corners.
HBU concludes the tournament against Hartwick Sunday at 6 pm central time. The Hawks beat Gonzaga in overtime, 2-1.
