By: By Jade Richardson - Sports Information Coordinator (jader@sfu.ca)
Box Score Bellingham, WA - The Simon Fraser University men's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw against Western Washington University Saturday in an exciting evening match.
Once again it was captain Jovan Blagojevic who scored for SFU, netting their only goal of the match in the 75th minute.
"I am very happy with the character shown by our guys tonight," said head coach Alan Koch. "They came to a tough place to play and put in a dominating performance.
Unfortunately we were not able to capitalize on the opportunities that we created, but that's football.
"The teams played to a scoreless first half at Harrington Field, despite SFU's nine shots that half, and their dominating presence in the Viking's half of the field.
Then, in the second period, it was WWU who struck first as freshman Luke Olney was able to fire a deflected ball past Brandon Watson (Victoria, BC) to make it 1-0.
Less than two minutes later the Clan were able to find the back of the net, as Blagojevic was able to connect to a Robert Hyams free kick, heading in his fifth of the season to tie the game at 1-1.
The remainder of the game would remain scoreless despite the Clan's pressure, and the teams would return to the pitch for two periods of overtime.
Blagojevic was almost able to earn the go-ahead goal at the end of the first overtime period with a last minute deflection into the WWU six yard box, but goalkeeper Keegan Rogers was able to make the save.
"The guys all have a taste of what it is like to play in the GNAC now, and we will learn from this experience and be better in our next match," continued Koch. "Coming from behind tonight has shown that we have the grit to play the attacking football that we are asking our team to play."
With the draw SFU moves to 2-1-1 on the season and 0-0-1 in the GNAC.
The Clan return home to Terry Fox Field this Thursday, September 25 as they host Montana State University - Billings.
Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m. and follows a Clan women's soccer game.