FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 31
st, 2024
Portland, Ore.| The Knights tested their mental and physical strength today getting a huge win in 90 degree heat against Missouri Baptist University out at Eastside Timbers Complex.
The Knights luck was not on their side in the first half. They dominated in the shots category 12-3 but had nothing to show for it having four shots hit either the post or the crossbar. The only goal in the first half was put in by the Spartans in the 25
th minute.
The talk at halftime from coach
Troy Ready was positive. He was happy with the chances the Knights were getting and wanted them to continue being aggressive in the second half. The home team responded exactly that way and scored just 12 minutes into the second half in the 62
nd minute on a beauty sent in by
Elliot McClafferty on the assists from
Brendon Leach and
Gabriel Rincon tying the game. The tie didn't last long though as the Knights scored about a minute and a half after their first goal this time by
Bryce McCole assisted by
Gabriel Rincon and
Elliot McClafferty.
After the second goal, the Knights had a lead but wanted to increase that lead to the always important two goals. The Knights did just that in the 72
nd minute when
Elliot McClafferty drilled a pass to midfield where Antonio Cipriano was there to chip and charge the ball to a streaking
Chanin Orlandin. Cipriano's pass created a one on one situation that Orlandin took advantage of through a series of sweet moves putting the ball in the back of the net. The Spartans to their credit fought back after a small delay in the action after some differences of opinions and scored in the 84
th minute. From there, the Knights goal was to defend their zone and play some keep-away and did so successful as the clock drained to zeros with the Knights on top 3-2.
This was a huge win for the Knights as Missouri Baptist came into the game 3-0 having just beating conference foe, Corban University. The Knights now are the ones moving to 3-0 and the Spartans fall to 3-1. The Knights dominated on the offensive end out-shooting the Spartans 26-6 including 11-5 shots on goal.
Josepher Juarez-Cruz's job in goal was made pretty easy by the Knights defense only having to save 3 shots in which 1 of them found the back of the net.
Next Up
The Knights aren't done playing on this long Labor Day Weekend. They will rest up on the Lords day tomorrow and will be back at it on Labor Day Monday playing Linfield University in McMinville at 4:30pm.