Box Score Crown Point, Ind. - IU Northwest found themselves trailing early but fought back behind senior,
Francisco Torres' school record four goals to earn an 8-6 comeback victory over the Great Lakes Christian Crusaders in a wild high scoring match.
The RedHawks fell behind early as the Crusaders drew first blood scoring on a penalty kick following a foul in the box. Another RedHawks miscue led to the second Crusader goal before the RedHawks offense would wake up. Senior
Francisco Torres got the RedHawks on the board with his first of his four goals on the afternoon. His second goal of the first half, along with a strikes by freshmen
Dominic Bixeman and
Cristian Espinoza along with a successful penalty kick conversion by
Vitaliy Prots would allow IU Northwest to regain the lead at 5-4 at the half.
Torres would notch two more goals in the second half along with Bixeman's second strike of ther day, this time from 40 yards out on a free kick as the RedHawks would soon open up an four goal lead before hanging on for a 8-6 victory, their first of the 2022 season. The goals by Bixeman and Espinoza were the first of their collegiate careers and the RedHawks' 8 goals established a new program record.
Despite the high scoring match IU Northwest goal keeper
Jared Hecimovich made a series of spectacular saves to help the RedHawks preserve the win.
Coach's Perspective
"Our guys showed great character to regroup and fight back after getting down early. We weren't as good defensively today as we normally are, however our offense got going and Dom (Bixeman) and Pancho (Torres) combined for six goals,' said IU Northwest Interim Head Coach
Ryan Shelton. "It was a sloppy game by both teams and the conditions were tough with the warm temperature, but I would rather win 8-6 than lose 1-0 any day. We're going to continue to improve and it's better to do that while you're winning."
Next Up
The RedHawks (1-1) are idle until next Tuesday Aug. 30 when they host the Moody Bible Archers for a 8 p.m. CT kickoff at the SportsPlex.
