Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

By James Hernandez

Following a 3-1 home victory over Otero Junior College to open up the 2017, the #20^th ranked team in NJCAA soccer looked to remain unbeaten at home as they opened up SWAC play versus the USU- Eastern Eagles.

The reigning Region XVIII champs got on the board first when former Bonanza high school standout Manuel Ponce found the back of the net in the 27^th minute thanks to a perfectly placed pass off the foot of Momodou Kinteh putting Southern Nevada up 1-0. CSN was able tighten the reigns the remainder of the first half as they kept the Eagles off the scoreboard the remainder of the first half. Freshman Marcos DelAngel-Parra got the Coyotes on the board just four minutes into the second half when his unassisted goal in the 49^th minute staked CSN to a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately for the Coyotes goals in the 54^th and 67^th minute by Frank Derby and Omar Suarez knotted the match up 2-2. Both teams competed feverishly down the stretch and in overtime, but neither the Coyotes nor the Eagles were able to breakthrough with the game-winning goal. CSN and USU-Eastern played to a 2-2 draw in both teams Scenic West Conference opener Friday afternoon.

Despite surrendering two goals down the stretch of Friday's game, CSN was still able to play to a 2-2 draw and keep its unbeaten home record intact.

The Eagles drew first blood in Saturday's rematch when Jojea Kwizera put one past keeper Adrian Zacarias to give USU-E its first lead of the weekend 1-0. Southern Nevada created multiple scoring opportunities throughout the first half, but were kept off the scoreboard despite outshooting USU-E 10-2 in the opening period. CSN came out of the locker room determined to put more pressure on its opposition and the strategy paid dividends immediately. Just two minutes into the half another former Bonanza Bengal Juan Rodriguez scored the equalizer thanks to a perfect set-up by sophomore Manny Jahuey. From that point on the match turned into a nip and tuck affair with both teams scrapping and clawing for every inch. A second straight overtime match seemed inevitable until German Martinez's header in the 81^st minute found its way past the Eagles keeper to give the Coyotes a 2-1 lead with 9 minutes left. Conner Malone and the Coyotes defense was stellar as usual down the stretch as they preserved the 2-1 victory for Southern Nevada.

Fans your #20^th ranked and unbeaten Coyotes hit the road this weekend to face Mt. San Antonio College on Saturday and Victor Valley College on Sunday. For match times and score updates all weekend long log onto www.csncoyotes.com or follow us on Twitter @CSN_MSoc or Facebook CSNCoyotes.