WPU Returns to Pitch with 5-2 Win Over Robert Morris
Luis Amezquita celebrates the first goal of the evening
Oskaloosa–Itching to get back in the win column, the Statesmen men’s soccer team put together a strong performance en route to a 5-2 non-conference win over Robert Morris (Ill.) Saturday.
William Penn (2-1), which had not played since August 27, dominated the matchup with a 25-14 edge in shots, including 14 on goal.
Eduardo Bonatto (Sr., Rio Grande, Brazil, Business Management) had a piece of the first two Statesmen tallies. He helped break up the scoreless tie in the 14th minute when he put a delivery on goal, but his attempt was saved by the Eagle goalkeeper. Fortunately, the ball remained loose in front of the goal and Luis Amezquita (Sr., Inglewood, Calif., Sociology) finished it off.
It was a similar situation at the 34:38 mark when Bonatto was denied yet again, this time hitting the crossbar. The ball bounced directly out to Kenedy Deviska (So., Pignon, Haiti, Wellness and Recreation), however, and he drilled a shot into the netting.
Just six minutes into the second half, Deviska added another score with Bernardo Lima (Sr., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Exercise Science) pushing a pass forward to him into the penalty box.
RMU (3-1) finally scored four minutes later, but the hosts kept the visitors at bay with scores just two minutes apart. Donny Mesina (Inglewood, Calif., Sports Management) made it 4-1 with the help from Bonatto, while Lima capped WPU’s scoring with an unassisted goal in the 70th minute.
The Eagles tacked on a meaningless penalty kick goal in the last 10 minutes of regulation.
Austin Munoz (Sr., Harrisville, Utah, Sports Management) record four saves in the victory, while Sebastian Viteri (Jr., Quito, Ecuador, Sports Management) entered the goal in the waning minutes.
“This was a fantastic performance by our team tonight,” Head Coach Jaymee Highcock said. “There was a lot of tension leading up to the game, having not played in 10 days. We managed to let it go on the field tonight and put together a good substance of soccer.”
“This week’s training was a bit different in regards to functional practice,” Highcock added. “It was good to see what we practiced come together, as a group, in a game situation. We showed and played like we were one of the best teams in the nation and it was great fun to be a part of. The goal of this team is to make the national tournament and we look forward to making another positive step towards our goal in the next game against Hannibal-LaGrange.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Hannibal, Mo. next Tuesday to face Hannibal-LaGrange in non-conference action at 2 p.m.
