SALT LAKE CITY — After 660 days, the San Francisco State men's soccer team returned to the pitch on Thursday at Dumke Field. After a lengthy lightning delay, the Gators tied the match at 1-1 but fell late, 3-1, to Northwest Nazarene.
- NNU (1-0) held a 9-6 shot advantage, including a 4-2 shots on goal advantage.
- A nearly 90-minute lightning storm in the area forced play to halt at the 55th minute.
- Five different Gators recorded shots.
Sebastian Cotrau scored the game's first goal with a strike in the 29th minute to give NNU the early advantage. London Lombana gave the Gators a spark off the bench but his header was called back due to offside and the Nighthawks maintained their lead into halftime. The Gators were awarded a PK in the 55th minute when play was halted. Once play resumed, Gustavo Ferrari buried a PK to knot the match at 1-1. The tie didn't last long though as NNU answered in the 63rd minute. Jake Levine gave NNU the lead for good and Nils Knosala added an insurance goal in the 79th minute.
Erik Ornelas made his first career start and allowed three goals with one save in a complete-game effort for the Gators. Sawyer Price allowed a goal and made one save to earn the win for NNU.
SF State faces host Westminster on Saturday, September 4 at 7:30 MDT / 6:30 PT. Live video will be available free on the RMAC Network with live stats available at sfstategators.com. Updates will also be available on Twitter at @sfstate_msoc.
