WAXAHACHIE – Two of Wayland Baptist's most prolific goal scorers,
Marco Magnoli and
Hector Romero, did the things they do best as the Pioneers recorded a 2-0 victory over Southwestern Assemblies of God University here Saturday.
It was the final regular-season road game for Wayland, which was coming off a tough 2-1 loss to third-ranked Mid-America Christian.
"I wouldn't call this our best performance but we did what we needed to do," WBU coach
Robert Ssejjemba said. "We rotated many of the guys, giving them some much-needed rest."
Romero scored first in the 20
th minute off an overhead assist from Magnoli. Romero headed the ball home from close range on the back post.
Magnoli gave Wayland an insurance goal in the 75
th minute off a snap shot after he received a well-laid off ball from
Danijel Bozic on top of the box.
Magnoli now has nine goals – including five in his last four outings – and seven assists, while Romero has four goals. It was Bozic's first assist.
Wayland allowed just six shots all afternoon, only one of which was on-goal. The Pioneers ended with 15 shots, 10 on-target. Nine different players fired shots. Romero, Magnoli and Luis Fernandez had two on-goal shots apiece.
Ilkkan Sahin picked up the win in goal in what was Wayland's seventh shutout of the season and fourth in the last five matches.
The win improved Wayland to 8-4-2 on the season and 4-1-2 in SAC play, good for third place.
The Pioneers wrap up their regular-season with a pair of tough home matches next week, first against Southwestern Christian (9-4-1, 3-2-1) at 7 p.m. Tuesday then against Oklahoma-Panhandle State (10-2-1, 6-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday in what will be Senior Night for WBU. Southwestern Christian is ranked the equivalent of 29
th in the NAIA while OPSU is ranked the equivalent of 39
th.
