NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 6, SCAD 1
Records: Life U, 2-0-0; SCAD 0-2-0
HARDEEVILLE, S.C. — The No. 11 Life University men's soccer team blew past the Bees of SCAD on Monday afternoon behind a five-goal second half. The contest was tight to begin, with the teams knotted at one after the first 45.
Vicente Cuquerella opened the scoring in the 13th minute of the contest, giving Life U the early lead. However, the momentum was short lived as the Bees returned the favor in the 26th minute. Level at one, the Running Eagles continued to hammer away but were unable to find the back of the net again in the first half. Life concluded the first with 12 shots, requiring 4 saves out of the SCAD keeper.
Out of the break, Life U turned to the bench early in the second half. After being subbed on just minutes earlier, Enrico Burigotto made an immediate impact, putting his squad in front in the 64th minute off the assist from Andrei Apostu. The flood gates opened William Galli scored in the 67th minute and Apostu added one of his own in the 69th. Leading 4-1 in the blink of an eye, Burigotto pushed the lead to 5-1 with his second of the contest in the 75th.
Thomas Rodella added the exclamation point to the score line, capping off the scoring in the 89th minute.
The Running Eagles finished with a 23-6 shot advantage including 14 strikes on frame in the contest.
Up next, Life U remains on the road, traveling to face #18 Lindsey Wilson on Friday, Aug. 28.
"The second win of the season gets us off to a strong start," said Head Coach Alex Pama. "As expected, the circumstances were challenging, and credit to SCAD for making things difficult, especially during the second part of the first half. At halftime, the message was clear: we needed to change our attitude. With a higher tempo, a few adjustments to the system, and a much greater level of effort, we were able to take control and quickly pull away from SCAD in the second half. Next up is another tough challenge against LWC, who are ranked alongside us. Another great test awaits us at the end of the week as we travel to Kentucky. We're looking forward to the challenge!"
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Life U posted 9 corner opportunities to the 2 of the Bees.
--The contest was extremely physical, including 25 fouls and 6 yellow cards being shown.
TURNING POINT:
--Substitute Enrico Burigotto opened the flood gates in the second half by breaking the draw. Life U scored four goals over an eleven-minute timespan.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Andrei Apostu boasted a goal and an assist.
--Vicente Cuquerella posted his first goal of the season.
--Thomas Rodella recorded a goal and an assist.
--Enrico Burigotto scored a pair of goals.
--William Galli scored his first goal of the season.
--Leonardo DiPaola and Alejandro Contrera each recorded an assist.
