The Warner Pacific Men's Soccer team traveled to Newberg Ore. on Monday to open their 2022 season against George Fox University. The Knights sought to build on a strong showing last year in which they went 16-4-2 overall and earned an appearance in the NAIA National Championship Tournament. Warner came out swinging on Monday by exploding for 5 goals en route to a shutout victory.
Warner quickly gained control in the opening portion of the game, taking only 16 minutes to find the back of the net. The opening goal for the Knights came from Freshman forward Andrew Martinez. Andrew was not done there, however. In the 27th minute Martinez rushed by the entire George Fox back line and placed a shot up and over George Fox's goalkeeper for his second goal of the night.
The Knights kept up the momentum in the first half despite the two quick goals. In the 43rd minute, the referee awarded a penalty kick to the Knights after Andrew Her was brought down inside the box. Warner Senior Erik Mattice stepped up and scored on the kick, extending the Warner lead to 3-0 at halftime.
The second half saw Coach Ready look to his bench to get some minutes. The energy remained high however, and the Knights retained control of the game.
The 64th minute saw another penalty kick awarded to the Knights after a foul on Brendon Leach. Keeping business in the family, his brother Hunter Leach stepped up to take the kick. The elder Leach sent the keeper the wrong way and scored to give the Knights a commanding 4-0 lead.
The Knights continued to compete all throughout the game, as in the 74th minute Luke Wagener scored from outside the box to bring the game to its final tally, 5-0 in favor of the Knights.
The Knights are in action next against another NCAA DIII opponent in the form of Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on Thursday, September 1st at 5pm.
