ROHNERT PARK — (Aug. 26) A dominate first half featuring 17 shots and a pair of goals by seniors Jon Eseman and Trel Mangarin led Humboldt State's men's soccer team to a 3-1 win over Grand Canyon University Sunday at the Seawolf Soccer Classic in Rohnert Park.

While the majority of the opening half was played in the Antelopes' end of the field, GCU did jump on the board first when Bosko Jovicevic sent a long ball up the middle of the field to Albert Escovar who beat one Lumberjack defender before slotting the ball into the net.

Seven minutes later, at the 18:26 mark, Eseman tied the game at 1-1 on a blasted shot from five yards outside the top of the box. Mark Nelson was credited with an assist on the goal.

“Jon stepped up and had a good game,” said HSU head coach Andy Cumbo. “His was an important goal.”

Humboldt continued to pressure Grand Canyon's defense, finally breaking through a second time at the 41:28 mark. Eseman began the play, sending a ball up the middle of the box to Ben Vasser who flicked it over to Mangarin for a far-post shot from the left side.

Continuing to control possession and tempo in the second half, Humboldt State managed eight shots and tallied an insurance goal in the 72nd minute of play when Tony Ramirez found the back off the net off of a corner kick by Adam Tschannen. Roland Demombynes also earned an assist on the goal after heading Tschannen's ball across the box to Ramirez.

“We stuck to our objectives, executed and played a complete game today,” said Cumbo. “Drew (Ryan) played a more complete match (in goal), Zephyr (Valverde) also played well and the whole team overall was very strong.”

Now 1-0-1 on the season, the Lumberjacks return home to Arcata this week, hosting Saint Martin's and Notre Dame de Namur in the Quiznos Soccer Classic.
   
Grand Canyon vs Humboldt State (Aug 26, 2007 at Rohnert Park, Calif.)
Grand Canyon (0-1-1) vs. Humboldt State (1-1-0)
Date: Aug 26, 2007  Attendance: 201
Weather: overcast, cool

Goals by period       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
Grand Canyon........  1  0 -  1
Humboldt State......  2  1 -  3

SCORING SUMMARY:
1.  11:40 GCU ESCOVAR, Albert (1) (JOVICEVIC, Bosko) - long ball upfield, slot past keeper
2.  18:26 HSU ESEMAN, Jon (1) (NELSON, Mark) - long blast outside top of box
3.  41:28 HSU MANGARIN, Trel (1) (VASSER, Ben;ESEMAN, Jon) - shot from left side after through ball
4.  71:37 HSU RAMIREZ, Tony (1) (DEMOMBYNES, Roland;TSCHANNEN, Adam) - volley from headed pass after corner kick

Shots: Grand Canyon 5, Humboldt State 25
Saves: Grand Canyon 12 (LICIARDI, Vincent 12), Humboldt State 2 (RYAN, Drew 2)

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