CANTON, Ohio – The Malone University men's soccer team notched their first victory of the season on Thursday in a home match versus Trevecca Nazarene. The Pioneers upended the Trojans 2-0 with goals from Patrick Alvarez in the eighth minute and an insurance goal from Kabanu Witherspoon in the 80th.
 
The Pioneers honored their seniors from the class of 2021 prior to the start of today's match. The win was the first in the Malone head coaching career of Brock Kertoy. Malone picks up three crucial points on the league table and find themselves in contention for a playoff spot if they can have continued success.

Malone is now 1-5-0 overall and in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play. Trevecca Nazarene holds a record of 3-6-0 overall and 2-5-0 in the conference.
 
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED:
The Pioneers started the game with the ball and their seven seniors on the pitch. From there, the Pioneer offense was flowing early. Malone kept the ball on the offensive side of the field and took four shots in the first eight minutes before Patrick Alvarez broke through on a rebound for the game's first goal.
 
Following the goal, Trevecca Nazarene tried to counter by moving the ball in their own zone. In the process of trying to tie the game up, the Trojans were too physical with the Malone keeper, Nick Wilhelm. Wilhelm left the game with an injury in the 17th minute and he was replaced by Kabanu Witherspoon.
 
Witherspoon remained in net for the Pioneers until the end of the half and made three saves. Going into the second, Wilhelm returned to the game.
 
Possession remained with Trevecca Nazarene for a majority of the second half, however the Pioneer defense did a steady job of preventing the Trojans from getting good looks at the net.
 
Patrick Alvarez got another good look in the 63rd minute, but the Trevecca Nazarene defense kept the shot off a corner from hitting the back of the net.
 
In the 70th minute, Witherspoon reentered the game, this time at his natural position of forward. Witherspoon attempted a shot in the 76th minute and Austin Coldsnow put a shot on goal a few minutes later to keep the pressure on the Trojan keeper.
 
Taking advantage of a defensive miscue, Kabanu Witherspoon scored his first career goal after a slight misdirection by a defender to make it 2-0 Pioneers.
 
In the closing minutes, each team looked to tack on an additional goal, but were unsuccessful and as the final horn sounded, it was Malone coming out on top 2-0.
 
PIONEER POINTS:

• The combination of Nick Wilhelm and Kabanu Witherspoon shutout the Trojans and made five total saves, two by Wilhelm and three from the stand-in keeper Witherspoon.
• Patrick Alvarez and Kabanu Witherspoon each netted their first goals on the season on Thursday in the victory.
• Alvarez and Austin Coldsnow each recorded a team-high three shots, with two of them on target.
• Patrick Brightbill contributed with two shots and one came from Alex Bibza.

 
UP NEXT:
A makeup game with Ohio Valley is on tap next for Malone men's soccer. It will be the final home men's soccer game of the season. Kick-off from GlenOak High School will take place at 2 pm.