William Penn Opportunistic in 4-0 Shutout of Bellevue
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–For the second game in a row, the stat line did not suggest a Statesmen victory, but the navy and gold found itself on top once again in a 4-0 defeat of Bellevue (Neb.) in non-conference men’s soccer action Wednesday.
William Penn (8-2), off to its best start in program history, was outshot 19-6, including an 8-2 deficit in the first half.
That advantage fortunately did not transfer to the scoreboard as the Statesmen actually broke through first with a goal by Francis Koroma (Fr., Brooklyn Park, Minn., General Accounting) at the 17:17 mark. The goal is Koroma’s fifth of the year. Cem Olgar (Fr., Duesseldorf, Germany, Industrial Technology) slipped the pass over the freshman.
Just over 20 minutes later, Luiz Teles (Fr., Picarres, Brazil, Undecided) went unassisted to record his first collegiate goal.
Olgar’s fifth goal of 2013 at 55:46 put the game out of reach. The assist went to Emilio Grassetto (Fr., Cordoba, Argentina, Business Management), his second in the navy and gold.
David Nega (Jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Undecided) iced the proverbial cake in the 76th minute with his first goal of the fall off a double assist by Olgar and Angelo Kelly (So., Ottumwa, Iowa, Physical Education). Kelly now leads WPU with seven helpers, while Olgar has three assists.
While the offense took advantage of its chances, a healthy Mason Bandy (Jr., Calgary, B.C., Biology) made the goals stand as he posted his first shutout of the campaign. The junior, who is now 2-1, saved six shots.
“Mason’s performance shows why he is an all-conference keeper,” Head Coach Raphael Martinez said. “He is finally back from his injury and deserved this shutout.”
WPU’s four-game winning streak is its second of 2013.
“Tonight was a great team performance from start to finish,” Martinez said. “I could not be more proud of our guys. To already reach last year’s win total is a great achievement, but I know these guys are not satisfied.”
“There is plenty to still play for this season, so we need to keep working hard to prepare for conference,” Martinez added.
Next: William Penn is off until next Saturday, September 28 as it travels to Cedar Rapids to face Mount Mercy in its Midwest Collegiate Conference opener. Action begins at 3 p.m.
