Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan shut out the USC Aiken Pacers in their season opener on Thursday evening in a 4-0 final.
The Warriors totaled nine shots with six being on target in the shut out. Southern Wesleyan's goals came off the feet of four different players as Leonardo Flores, Michael Boyle, Aron Bjarki Kristjánsson, and Brody Schroeder each scored. Steven Nunez picked up two assists in the game as he positioned the balls for both Boyle and Schroeder. Jonah Keoughan anchored down the goal for the Warriors as he accumulated three saves while not allowing a goal.
Game Vitals
Final: Southern Wesleyan 4, USC Aiken 0
Records: Southern Wesleyan (1-0) USC Aiken (0-1)
How It Happened
USC Aiken went on an early attack as Emilio Roman put up an early shot on the goal, but Jonah Keoughan was there to knock it away. The Pacers got the ball down the field several more times, but the Warriors back line continually blocked each attack on the net. After twenty minutes passed, Southern Wesleyan got in a couple of shots themselves as both Steven Nunez and Ramon Estrada looked to break open the Warriors' lead. However, Dikola Douglas was collected in the goal and saved each of the shots. Michael Boyle wove around the defense and drilled the ball into the net past a diving Douglas to give the Warriors the advantage at halftime.
Southern Wesleyan carried on their pressure into the second half as they took several attacks in the box, but the Pacers defense held strong to keep the Warriors from extending on their lead. A foul in the box led to a penalty kick. Leonardo Flores stepped up to the penalty spot and drilled the ball into the back of the net to extend the Warriors lead to 2-0. With just over fourteen minutes left on the clock, a foul right outside the box allowed Aron Bjarki Kristjansson to take a free kick. Krisjansson got the ball over the heads of the Pacers' line and into the goal to score his first collegiate goal. Seconds later, the Warriors sent the ball up the field to Brody Schroeder who took the ball all the way to the net and give the Warriors a 4-0 goal victory over USC Aiken.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain at home on August 29 as they will welcome the Carolina Bruins to Joe R Gilbert Track & Field for a 5pm kickoff. They will then travel to Newberry, SC on September 2 to take on the Newberry Wolves in a non-conference game at 7:30pm. The Warriors will open up Conference Carolinas action on the road on September 5 as they travel to Young Harris, GA to take on the Young Harris Mountain Lions.
