CANTON, Ohio -- The Malone University men's soccer team kicked off the 2021 season on Thursday night by welcoming Roberts Wesleyan College to the newly completed competition field at the Pioneer Park facility on campus.
Unfortunately for the host Pioneers, Roberts Wesleyan used three first-half goals to come away with a 3-0 win on opening night.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The visiting Red Hawks jumped on the scoreboard first with a goal in the fifth minute of play. RWC kept up their offensive attack, getting off two more shots on goal before breaking through for another score in the thirteenth minute to move ahead 2-0.
Malone's first good look at a goal came about two minutes later when
Antoine Leheron broke away up the right side. Unfortunately his shot attempt was off the post.
Just three minutes later Roberts Wesleyan had two more strong looks at goal, but each time
Logan Smith was there for the save.
Alex Bibza was the first Pioneer to get a shot on goal, as he tested the RWC keeper twice in the span of three minutes. Both opportunities were saved however to hold the game at 2-0.
The Red Hawks got their third goal of the half in the 32nd minute, and their 3-0 lead held until halftime.
Less than one minute after the break
Kaiden Whitford set a shot rifling towards the RWC goal, but the Red Hawk keeper made the save.
The Pioneers did a better job possessing the ball in the second half, and defensively they were able to control most of the Roberts Wesleyan opportunities.
Logan Smith only needed to make two saves in the second half to keep the Red Hawks off the board.
Unfortunately Malone could not break through on the offensive end, and the halftime score held as the final.
PIONEER POINTS
- Malone got off nine shots. Five of those were on goal. Alex Bibza led the way with three shots on goal.
- Freshman Logan Smith played all 90 minutes in goal. He made nine saves, seven of those came in the first half.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Pioneers are right back at home this weekend. Malone hosts Daemen College on Saturday afternoon. Kick off from Pioneer Park is set for 4:00 p.m.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Malone University athletic programs this year follow the Pioneers on Twitter and Instagram, like Malone University Athletics on Facebook or visit malonepioneers.com.
