Soccer Remains Undefeated at Home
The UNCP men’s soccer team kept their perfect home record alive on Sept. 21, beating Clayton State in a close match-up.
The PBC opener at Varsity Grounds almost slipped away from the Braves in the final eight minutes of play, but a last minute penalty kick gave the Braves the victory with a 3-2 win.
The win helped the Braves achieve it’s second-straight home victory in the series.
The Braves scored in the 38th minute of the game, where Jordan Walshaw fired a shot to the right side of the goal from a through ball off of Branco Theis.
Three minutes later, freshman Ruben Taks added to the Braves score with a 30-yard shot earning his first collegiate goal.
Taks, with help from the rainy weather, launched the ball right through the goalie’s hands.
Clayton State never gave up and cut their deficit in half with a quality strike by Ian Smith and assist by Bilal Nakhil. The Wildcats later tied the game with a goal by Will Summerfield, beating the home teams goalkeeper low.
The Black and Gold extended their lead late in the second half (86th minute) after CSU’s Jesse Parsons committed a foul in the penalty area.
Walshaw scored on the penalty kick and secured the win for the Black and Gold.
The Wildcats lead the Braves in shots (19-12), shots on goal (7-6), and corners (9-2), but the Wildcats’ costly penalty at the end of the second half lost the game for Clayton State in the end.
Jordan Walshaw led the Black and Gold with two goals, seven shots and three shots on goal. With Ruben Taks earning a goal, one shot and one shot on goal.
Branco Theis and Josh Hanratty also contributed with two assists.
Freshman Lucas Gusmao had five saves in the Braves’ win, earning his third win as a goalkeeper for UNCP.
