August 29, 2008 | Box Score
Azusa, California-The Graceland University men's soccer team was in Azusa, CA Friday afternoon for a matchup against the Westmont Warriors of Santa Barbara. In what would turn out to be a very physical game and close game, the Jackets were victorious 3-2 in overtime.
The scoring got started early for the quick start Jackets as newcomer Diego Gonzalez scored on a header, assist from Jeffrey Darkwah in the 19th minute. The score would remain that way into the second half as the Jacket zone defense suffocated the Warriors of Westmont allowing only 6 shots on goal. However, Westmont would not go away quietly. The Warriors put their first tally on the board in the 68th minute finding the back of net through the left side. Graceland would strike back only four minutes later on a shot by Jeffrey Darkwah, assist Aaron Cairns. At the time, it appeared Graceland might slip away with the 2-1 victory in regulation. The game however, would take a bad turn in the final minutes of regulation. Not only would Westmont score the game tying goal to make it a 2-2 game in the 79th minute, the Jackets would lose star player Orrin Branker to an apparent shoulder/neck injury late in the half. Branker was taken off the field on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital, but has been released and appears will be free of any major injury.
After the long injury delay, neither team could get their rhythm back in regulation and the game would go into overtime tied 2-2. The Jackets wouldn't let the game go long in OT scoring in the 96th minute of the game (6th of OT) on a beautiful sideline pass from Brian Loving to Filip Prostran. Prostran then headed a pass from inside the box to Edson Edwards who kicked in the game winning goal for the Jackets preserving the season opening victory.
Graceland will continue play in California Saturday as they'll face the #1 ranked team in the nation and defending National Champion Azusa Pacific. The game will be audio streamed online and is set to kick at 3:30 pm pacific time (5:30 central time).
For More Information on Graceland University Athletics Contact:
Matt Shelton, Sports Information Director
(641) 784-5318
mshelton@graceland.edu
