The Malone men's soccer team defeated Trevecca Nazarene on Thursday night by a score of 3-1. Nathan McFeaters put two shots in the back of the net and extended his team lead in goals scored with his fifth and sixth of the season. The win is the first since 2015 that Malone secured victory by two goals or more.
 
The Pioneers pick up their second consecutive conference victory and advance their record to 3-5-2 overall, 2-5-1 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Trevecca Nazarene falters to 2-8-1, 2-5-1 in the G-MAC.
 
Nick Wilhelm made his third start in net in 2019 and was tested right away in this match with a pair of shots in the 7th and 8th minutes. Wilhelm made two of his season-high eight saves on the attempts by the Trojans and kept the game scoreless.
 
In the 17th minute, Evan Dekker stole the ball from a defender and threaded the needle to a slicing Nathan McFeaters who took a tumble as the ball trickled passed the keeper who came out of the 6-yard box to try to make a play on the pass.
 
The Pioneers continued to take advantage of Trojan turnovers in their own defensive zone, but were unable to add insurance in the first half.
 
Trevecca Nazarene made a substitution for their goalkeeper in the second half, and he was put to the test immediately by the Pioneers.
 
Gino Finelli sent a free ball over the heads of the defense and McFeaters was there again, this time corralling the rock before the keeper could get to it and tapping it into the open net to widen the gap.
 
Immediately following a shot attempt and save by Wilhelm, he booted the ball downfield and the Trojan defense could not secure it. With a head of steam, Gino Finelli was able to get the upper hand after the defensive error and beat the keeper one-on-one.
 
The goal and assist for Finelli on the day would be the first of each category on the season.
 
Bryce-Austin Wahy netted a goal for Trevecca Nazarene with 10 seconds left in the game to soil the shutout opportunity, but the Pioneers prevailed 3-1 for the game.
 
Overall, shots were even 11-11, and the Trojans had nine shots on goal compared to only five for the Pioneers.
 
Patrick Alvarez and Christopher Mally added two shots each for the Pioneer offense.
 
Malone is on the road for their next match as well, traveling to Kentucky Wesleyan to face the Panthers on Saturday, October 19. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 pm (2:30 pm CDT).