SALEM, Ore. — Jaime Moreno scored a dramatic goal with just a minute remaining in the game to give the University of La Verne men's soccer team a 2-1 win over Willamette at Sparks Field on Thursday night.
In a game that saw a total of 31 fouls and five yellow cards, Willamette's Yazan Hishmeh committed a foul that led to the game-winning goal by Moreno. Nathan Gonzalez took the kick and Moreno took off towards the left corner as the ball dropped right in front of him. One swift move around his defender put Moreno within nine yards of the goal as he tapped the ball in to give the Leopards the lead in the 88th minute.
Moreno connected on his only attempt and added an assist on a headed goal by Humberto Irra, who opened his La Verne account in in the 39th minute to tie the game at 1-1. Moreno delivered a perfect corner kick from the right side and Irra dove in from about eight yards to finish the play.
Still high off a 1-0 win over George Fox on Wednesday night, the Leopards came out of the gate defending against two Willamette corner kicks in the opening two minutes of the game. The Bearcats pressed high, played physically and eventually found the net first on a goal by Jesse Thompson in the 32nd minute.
The Leopards settled down after Irra's goal and did not give the Bearcats a good look at the goal the rest of the way. La Verne again controlled the play in the second half, with Saul Uribe creating the most dangerous chances off the left wing.
Uribe, Justin Funes, and Alfredo Garcia each attempted two shots, while Gerardo Vasquez and Darrin Bangle recorded one save each in net.
The Leopards will take on St. Katherine at 6 p.m. on Sunday to open up a three-game homestand at Ortmayer Stadium.
