McPHERSON, Kan. – Wayland Baptist enjoyed its biggest offensive output since the season-opener as the Pioneers defeated Central Christian College in Sooner Athletic Conference men's soccer action here Friday afternoon, 5-2.
The match was moved ahead 24 hours due to threatening weather on Saturday.
Wayland's five goals – including two by
Marco Magnoli who also had an assist – are the most since the Pioneers (7-4-1, 2-2-1 SAC) downed Ecclesia College (Ark.) way back on Sept. 18, 11-0. WBU hadn't score more than two goals in any of its five outings during the spring semester.
"I thought we came out of the gates today with the right mentality and energy, controlling the ball and using every inch of the field with purpose," Wayland coach
Robert Ssejjemba said. "Our movement off the ball was very good.
Magnoli headed home the first goal – just 42 seconds into the match – off a corner kick from the right by
Ryan Naidoo.
Alex Pike scored the second goal from close range, a tap-in from a cutback ball played by
Leonardo Amaral 8½ minutes in.
Magnoli scored the third goal unassisted, beating Tigers' goalkeeper from 30 yards out in the 21
st minute. Magnoli now has six goals on the season, second-most on the team. He also scored twice in the season-opener.
Just three minutes after Magnoli's goal,
Ryan Naidoo scored in similar style when he unleashed a 30-yard strike outside the box unassisted, making it 4-0.
The Tigers (5-8-2, 0-4-1) finally got on the board with a goal in the 39
th minute. They scored again 95 seconds before halftime to cut the deficit to 4-2.
The second half's lone goal came when Amaral scored after Magnoli put him through, beating the keeper with a well-placed ball in the lower right corner.
"Our second half was more disciplined behind the ball and we picked our moments to go forward," Ssejjemba said.
Wayland outshot the Tigers, 18-6, with Magnoli taking five of the shots. Naidoo and
Stefano Pesce fired two shots each.
Gonzalo Santa started in goal for Wayland before
Elias Zamora played between the pipes for the final 45 and recorded a pair of saves.
"It was a good performance and we needed to bounce back after a loss at MACU," Ssejjemba said.
Next for WBU is a three-match homestand, although all three games are likely to be played out of town due to field conditions at Hilliard Field. Tuesday's 6 p.m. match against Texas Wesleyan (2-7-1, 0-4) will be played at Lubbock Christian University.
No spectators will be allowed at LCU.
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