COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. — Walla Walla University men's soccer fell 2-1 to Carroll College on Friday afternoon in Cascade Collegiate Conference action. The Wolves rallied from an early two-goal deficit but could not find the equalizer despite outshooting the Fighting Saints 13-9.
Walla Walla (3-6-3, 3-3-3 CCC) finished with six shots on goal, while Carroll (7-4-2, 6-2-1 CCC) recorded seven. The Wolves held a 6-3 advantage in second-half shots and earned four corner kicks after halftime.
The Wolves created the first scoring opportunity of the game in the seventh minute when
Cai Calvo sent a shot over the crossbar. Carroll responded with offensive pressure, breaking through in the 13th minute when Arnaldo Primera found the back of the net to give the Fighting Saints a 1-0 lead.
Just three minutes later, Carroll extended its lead when Felix Billard scored off an assist from Sean Balen in the 16th minute. The Fighting Saints continued to apply pressure, nearly adding a third goal when Miguel Blasco struck the post in the 20th minute.
Walla Walla began to find its offensive rhythm midway through the first half.
Mauro Garrote forced Carroll goalkeeper Noah Jordan to make a save in the 22nd minute, while
Gabriel Delgadillo had a shot blocked in the 30th minute.
The Wolves broke through in the 33rd minute when
Paulo Tostado scored an unassisted goal, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Walla Walla pushed for the equalizer before halftime. Tostado put another shot on goal in the 44th minute, forcing Jordan to make a save.
Jose Roblero followed with a shot that was blocked in the closing minute of the half, sending the Wolves into the break trailing by one.
In the second half, Walla Walla increased its offensive pressure. The Wolves generated three shots in less than two minutes, beginning with a shot from Calvo in the 58th minute that missed wide left. Delgadillo followed with a shot on goal that was saved by Jordan before Tostado sent another attempt over the crossbar in the 60th minute.
The Wolves earned four corner kicks in the second half while limiting Carroll to just three shots.
With time running out, Walla Walla made one final push to tie the game. Calvo sent a shot wide in the 85th minute before Tostado forced Jordan to make a save in the 88th minute. The Wolves earned a corner kick moments later, creating another opportunity for Tostado, but Jordan made his fifth save of the game to preserve Carroll's one-goal advantage.
Tostado led the Wolves' offensive attack with five shots, including four on goal and Walla Walla's lone goal. Calvo added three shots, while Garrote and Delgadillo recorded two apiece.
Defensively, Wolves goalkeeper Sebas Vargas finished with five saves in 90 minutes of action. Jordan also recorded five saves for Carroll.
UP NEXT: Walla Walla will host Rocky Mountain College on Sunday, Oct. 25, in the Wolves' final home game of the season.
