Thursday, November 13, 2014

SEATTLE, Wash. - Marshall Hartley scored in the first half and Northwest Nazarene held back Simon Fraser’s attack to come out with a victory in the first round of the NCAA tournament Thursday at Interbay Stadium in Seattle.

Northwest Nazarene advances to the regional semifinals where it will face host and No. 1 seed Seattle Pacific Saturday at 7 p.m.

NNU took to the offensive end early, taking the game’s first six shots with three on goal.

In the 23rd minute, NNU freshman Hartley dribbled past the goalkeeper and put the ball in the back of the net for the first goal of the match. The score, assisted by GNAC first-teamers Fredy Razo and Julio Castillo, was only Hartley’s second goal on the year.

Simon Fraser responded with six shots of its own including five unanswered. Forwards Alex Kleefeldt and Mateo Espinosa had two each, but none hit their mark.

The Crusaders finished the first half with seven shots by six different players. Four were on goal.

Needing a score to keep their season alive, the Clan took the first four shots of the second half following senior Jovan Blagojevic who took the first two.

The Crusaders defended multiple waves of the Clans attack and even though Simon Fraser outshot Northwest Nazarene 15-8, only three shots were on goal. NNU goalie Alfredo Ontiveros corralled all three shots for his ninth shutout of the season.

This is the first time in 23 matches that Simon Fraser has failed to score a goal. SFU ends its season with an 11-5-2 overall record.

Northwest Nazarene handed Seattle Pacific its only loss of the year just 14 days ago in a 1-0 Crusader victory. SPU is 15-1-2 on the year and hasn't lost at home since Sept. 7, 2013.