Pronghorns finish in a 2-2 tie against Northeastern Junior College

BY DAVID RODISH GILLETTE NEWS RECORD SPORTS EDITOR

Gillette College continued its conference schedule with a 2-2 tie at home against Northeastern Junior College on Saturday.

The Pronghorns (2-3-2 overall and 2-1-1 at home) faced the Plainsmen in a tough, intense match. In the game, Gillette got down twice but was able to fight back in the game and make sure the team didn't take a loss at home. 

"It was intense, it was a war," sophomore defenseman Juan Francisco Azzaro said of the game. 

Northeastern scored first in an unassisted goal in the sixth minute of the game. Julen Arteaga scored halfway through the first half. The game remained 1-1 for the rest of the first half and the majority of the second half. The Pronghorns had a few chances to take the lead, including a series where the ball bounced off the post three different times in a short span. Eventully, the Plainsmen scored, taking a 2-1 lead with 13 minutes left in the game. The Pronghorns needed a score desperately, and after a few more close calls, the offense delivered. Andre Hoepelman scored the game-tying goal with only 2:35 remaining in the contest. Both teams made a push in the final minutes, but neither team found the back of the net, leaving the game to end in a tie.

Coach Alex Machin said he was proud of how the team fought and battled in the game, and said that he will take a result like that when his team plays hard like the Pronghorns did.

Gillette College will hit the road for their first conference games away from home. Machin expects the same high intensity from his team and said the Pronghorns are ready for the challenge. 

The team will play at Trinidad State College on Friday and will play Otero College on Saturday.

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