Monday, October 8, 2012

Big Second Half Propels Greyhounds Over Falcons, Santos Ties Record

PORTALES, N.M. — With the score tied at 1-all, Diego Santos (Sr., F, Natal, RN, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Rio Grande de Norte) headed in the game-winning goal, 2:56 into the second half, to lift the Eastern New Mexico University men’s soccer team (9-4) to a 5-1 victory over visiting University of Texas of the Permian Basin (5-5), Monday afternoon at ENMU Soccer Field. Four of the Hounds five goals came in the final 45 minutes.

With the win, the Hounds improved to 9-3-1 against the Falcons, and have won the last six meetings. ENMU has been especially explosive in Monday games this season, posting a 3-0 record and outscoring the opposition by a 16-2 margin. Eastern also has won the last nine games in which Santos has a goal or assist.

Michael Stewart (Sr., D, Katy, Texas/Cinco Ranch HS) tallied his fifth goal of the season, heading in a corner kick, 20:27 into the game, to stake Eastern to a 1-0 lead. The Falcons answered less than four minutes later, on a goal from Jose Anchondo, to tie the score. The game remained tied for the remainder of the opening half, although ENMU held a decisive 8-1 edge in shots on goal.

Just 2:56 into the second period, Santos broke the stalemate and tied the ENMU career-record, with his sixth game-winning goal. Less than two minutes later, Eishu Kanemitsu (Jr., M, Tokyo, Japan / Emily Carr Secondary School) struck on a shot from the right side of the Falcon net, for his third goal in the last two home matches, to give Eastern a 3-1 advantage.

Christopher Marrone (Jr., D, Tucson, Ariz. / Pima CC) headed a pass from Cantu Palombo (Jr., MF, Albuquerque, N.M. / Sandia HS / Otero CC) past UTPB keeper, Chris Branum, with 25:06 remaining and Carlos Viveros (So., M, Houston, Texas/Morton Ranch HS) tallied his sixth goal of the season, to provide the final margin, with 16:09 remaining.

The Hounds matched a season high, with 14 shots on goal and allowed just three to Texas-Permian Basin. Kanemitsu notched a three-point game with a goal and assist. He has three goals and an assists in the last two home matches. Santos moved into seventh on the single-season list for points (17) and into a tie for sixth in goals (7). Fredrik Widfeldt (Fr., GK, Yterby, Sweden / Katrinelundsgymnasiet) made one save to improve to 8-3, while Branum made seven saves for UTPB.

The Eastern New Mexico University men’s soccer team will return to action next Friday, when to host 25^th-ranked Midwestern State. The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. MDT.

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