GLENDALE, Ariz. - Nathan Johansen's second goal of the night with less than three minutes remaining lifted the Glendale Community College men's soccer team to a 3-2 win over Paradise Valley Community College on Tuesday night in a chippy, back-and-forth affair. The Gauchos now stand at 2-0-0 on the season.
Though it wasn't all one-way traffic, Glendale did have the bulk of the chances in the first half. The Gauchos enjoyed a 13-4 edge in shots in the opening 45 minutes and had 12 corner kicks to zero for Paradise Valley. However, it was the Pumas who struck first after being fouled in the box and converting a penalty kick in the 22nd minute to make it 1-0. Glendale was quick to respond, drawing a penalty of its own less than a minute later. Owen Collins stepped up and converted to knot the score at 1-1.
In the closing minutes of the first half, Hubert Muka made a marauding run down the right wing and crossed in a perfect pass to the waiting Johansen to head home to give Glendale a 2-1 halftime advantage.
Paradise Valley brought new life to the match with a long-distance strike in the 51st minute that knotted the score at 2-2. The renewed energy was felt the remainder of the match, with both teams fighting for every ball and the referee looking to retain control. A total of 10 cards would be issued from the 55th minute on, including a straight red for a Puma player in the final minutes.
With all that going on, Glendale was able to stay composed and find the winning goal just as the clock rolled into the 88th minute. On a free kick from Jordan Yesenski, a crowd of players flocked to the six-yard box and the Paradise Valley keeper was not able to corral the ball. With the ball loose on the goal line, Johansen found himself in the right spot at the right time to put it in the back of the net, setting off a raucous celebration.
Glendale finished the night with 15 total shots, putting seven on target. The trio of Johansen, Muka, and Yesenski all had three shots apiece. Eli Anderson took the win in goal for the Gauchos, making a pair of saves on the night.
After opening with two home matches, Glendale will make its first road trip of the season on Sept. 13, facing Mesa Community College at 8 p.m.
