The Benedictine Mesa men's soccer team opened GSAC play with an impressive road victory on Saturday night, defeating Embry-Riddle 2-1 in Prescott.
Benedictine generated several early opportunities, including a pair of chances from Shay Carey, before breaking through in the 36th minute. Following a Redhawk corner kick, Pol Bistue found the back of the net to give Benedictine a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
The Eagles nearly found an equalizer in the first half, but goalkeeper Charlie Shepherd came up with a huge penalty-kick save in the 24th minute to preserve the lead. Shepherd finished the match with three saves.
Embry-Riddle responded quickly after halftime, leveling the score just 35 seconds into the second half when Cesar Battistini finished a chance assisted by Erick Quirarte and Rodrigo Garcia.
The teams traded possession and scoring opportunities throughout the remainder of the half before Benedictine delivered the decisive moment. In the 84th minute, Bryan Ncube scored the eventual game-winner off a corner kick, putting the Redhawks back in front at 2-1.
Embry-Riddle pressed for an equalizer in the closing minutes, earning a late corner and putting a header on frame in the 89th minute, but Shepherd made the stop to help secure the conference-opening victory.
Bistue and Ncube each scored for Benedictine, while Carey led the Redhawks with five shots. Benedictine outshot the Eagles 16-8 and held a 3-2 advantage in corner kicks during the second half on the way to the win.
