From NSU Sports Information
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The No. 22-ranked Northeastern State men’s soccer team advanced to the 2012 NCAA Quarterfinals with a 6-3 victory over Fort Hays State Friday night at DeLoache Field.
The RiverHawks (13-4-3) will now face No. 12 Saginaw Valley State at 1 p.m. Nov. 18 at DeLoache Field after the Cardinals upset No. 4 Rockhurst 2-1 in overtime earlier in the day. The winner of Sunday’s match will advance to the NCAA Semifinals in Evans, Ga.
NSU outshot Fort Hays State (11-6-2) 27-13, and the home side scored the first four goals of the match.
The Tigers came roaring back to get within two on two occasions at 4-2 and 5-3, but the RiverHawks would keep the visitors at an arm’s length to ensure the first victory in school history in the NCAA Championship.
Sophomore forward Juan Peralta scored in both the 27th and 87th minutes, and he now leads the team with 15 goals this season. Senior midfielder Bo White scored in the 35th minute, and he is right behind Peralta with 14 goals this year.
Senior midfielder Jordon Smith and freshman midfielder Paul Samia added tallies in the 42nd and 49th minutes, respectively, to put NSU ahead 4-0.
Daniel Peralta cut the lead in half with markers in the 62nd and 63rd minutes, but senior midfielder Henry Wildenborg kept the Tigers at bay with a strike from distance that sailed into the upper 90 in the 73rd minute.
Michael Cole scored in the 80th minute to make the score 5-3 in favor of NSU, and the home side added another insurance marker on Peralta’s late goal.
Freshman goalkeeper Eric Shephard (4-0-1) saved five shots and allowed three goals to earn the win in 90 minutes of action. FHSU keeper Kent Freund (6-4-2) took the loss after allowing all six goals and making eight saves.
Scoring Summary
FHSU 0 3 – 3
NSU 3 3 – 6
Individual Scoring
Juan Peralta (NSU) at 26:11 (unassisted)
Bo White (NSU) at 34:51 (Edgar Gonzaga)
Jordon Smith (NSU) at 41:15 (Edgar Gonzaga)
Paul Samia (NSU) at 48:48 (Jordan Schmoker)
Daniel Peralta (FHSU) at 61:36 (unassisted)
Daniel Peralta (FHSU) at 62:50 (Michael Cole)
Henry Wildenborg (NSU) at 72:38 (Jordan Schmoker)
Michael Cole (FHSU) at 79:11 (Daniel Peralta)
Juan Peralta (NSU) at 86:34 (Adam Schmoker)
Goalkeeper Saves
Kent Freund (FHSU) – 8
Eric Shephard (NSU) – 5
Cedrique Flemming is the Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations at Northeastern State University.