LACEY, Wash. – Sebastian Navarro connected for two goals, including a clutch equalizing goal in the 84th minute, to send the match to overtime. Despite opportunities for both sides, the Nighthawks managed to secure the 3-2 win with a golden goal in the 99th minute.
 
Navarro connected for his third goal of the season in the 18th minute to give the Saints (3-6-0, 1-2-0) an early lead. The Nighthawks (2-5-1, 2-0-0) scored the tying goal in the closing second of the first half, and took the lead in the 71st minute. Navarro struck again in the final minutes of the half to force an overtime. With the clock nearly expired, the Nighthawks escaped with a 3-2 final.
 
The Saints got on the board first when Navarro stepped in front of a clear attempt by the Nighthawks in the box. From 10 yards out, Navarro went from right to left side of the box for the goal, his third of the season. The Nighthawks began mounting pressure on the Saints' defense at the end of the first half, looking to tie the match before the break. The Nighthawks got their opportunity in the final minute and capitalized, forcing a 1-1 score at halftime.
 
In the second half, both sides traded shot opportunities for the opening minutes, with Saints taking two set pieces, but were unable convert. The Nighthawks broke the scoring drought in the 71st minute to take their first lead of the match at 2-1. With the Saints down to their final minutes, the junior captain Navarro, came through in the clutch once more, knocking down a strike from 10 yards out after a shot by Alexis Lopez hit off the crossbar.
 
In the overtime period, Northwest Nazarene limited the Saints' chances with the ball, and used the possession to control the period. In the 99th minute, Northwest Nazarene connected on the golden goal to stun the Saints and win 3-2.
 
"We have an adage in our program," said head coach Rob Walker. "When it comes to gameday, we play like we practice. Looking at our performance today, I know we will be disappointed with our game. In practice, we strive to keep the ball, move our point of attack by playing in between and then behind our opponent's last line of defense. Credit has to go to Northwest Nazarene for making that whole process hard for us today. On an individual level, we love Sebastian Navarro's goals and the efforts of our guys in the back to hold it together. If we had a wish, it would be to play again tomorrow and get this right. As a coaching staff, we love that attitude. We have some great guys with big hearts and strong attitudes. We will regroup and come back Saturday against Seattle Pacific University."
 
Navarro collected three of the Saints' seven shots in the match, landing two on goal, both leading to goals. Martin and Alexis Lopez, Oscar Aguilar and Stephen Todd Murray JR each recorded one shot each. Griffin Small got the start at goalkeeper, recording two saves on 17 shots faced, and allowed three goals.
 
The Saints remain at home for their next match, hosting Seattle Pacific at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 29. Part of the first annual Saints Kicking Some ALS, donations will be collected at the match to help those affected by ALS. Live video and stats of match will be available on smusaints.com.