MORAGA, Calif. – Angel Rodriguez (Elgin, Ill./Ignite Christian Academy) and
Parker Jeppson (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Southwest) each scored their first career goal as the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team topped Saint Mary's (Calif.), 2-1, on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 28) at Saint Mary's Stadium. Rodriguez opened the scoring in the 11th minute and Jeppson doubled the NIU advantage with what proved to be the game-winner in the 40th minute.
Nolan Cosgrove (Chesterfield, Mo./Tulsa) made his first start in goal as a Huskie, making five saves in the victory.
Miguel Maynez Jr. (El Paso, Texas/New Mexico) recorded assists on both NIU goals.
"In the second half we knew Saint Mary's would come at us, but I thought that we dealt with it," said NIU head coach
Ryan Swan. "Obviously it was disappointing to concede so early in the second (half), but guys didn't panic, and we were composed. We weren't as good as we were in the first half as far as possession, but I thought it was a pretty mature performance, especially considering there were a lot of new faces on the field."
NIU scored from its first attack in the contest as Maynez had the initial chance that came back off the bar and ricocheted kindly to Rodriguez just inside the top of the box. The freshman midfielder blasted a shot into the upper corner of the goal to put the Huskies in front after just 11 minutes.
The Huskies doubled their lead shortly before halftime.
Harry Jolley (Liverpool, England/St. Margaret Academy) came up from his center back spot and moved past a couple of Gaels defender before being fouled about 30 yards from goal. From the ensuing free kick, Maynez floated a ball toward the back post and Jeppson rose above the crowd to power home a second for the Huskies just five minutes before the interval.
"It was a great finish from Angel (Rodriguez), on Thursday he looked really comfortable when he came on the field, he didn't look out of place at all, so we were confident giving him a start today," said Swan. "We expect Angel to contribute goals and assists, it was a fantastic goal today, he is a really good player, so that was nice to see.
"Parker (Jeppson), I didn't realize it was his first career goal because he always looks like a threat. He's so good athletically and always looks dangerous on set pieces, so I'm delighted for him as well, those were two big goals."
In the final minute of the first half, Cosgrove made a pair of good saves, including an excellent reactionary stop at the near post off a corner, to give NIU a 2-0 lead at the intermission.
"Our goalkeeping group is really good; I think we have three very good goalkeepers," said Swan. "We looked at today's game, knowing we were playing a team that is very good on set pieces and has a long throw-in, so we opted for Nolan for this one as we thought it would do well with those sorts of things and he had a positive performance today."
Just after the break, Saint Mary's cut the NIU lead in half as Riley Lynch got to the endline and chipped a cross to Felix Calero who was all alone inside the six-yard box to head home a goal for the Gaels.
In the 55th minute, Greg Brighton had a chance for Saint Mary's from just outside the box that was headed in the upper corner, but Cosgrove made an outstanding save at full stretch to push it away for a corner.
The Gaels created two more good chances from set pieces as Wade Muttitt hit the post off a corner in the 74th minute and Bourdanne Ngongfor rang a shot off the crossbar from a free kick in the 77th minute but the Huskie defense held tight as NIU picked up its first win of the season.
NIU will conclude its season-opening, three-game road trip on Thursday night, Sept. 1, when the Huskies travel to Bradley. Game time against the Braves is scheduled for 7 p.m.
