Score: Life U 4, Faulkner 1
Records: Life U, 5-1-1 (1-0-1 SSAC); Faulkner, 5-2-0 (1-1-0 SSAC)
MARIETTA, Ga. — The No. 9 Life University men's soccer team defeated the #22 Eagles of Faulkner on Lupo Family Field late Sunday afternoon. Two first half goals proved to be enough, while adding two late insurance goals in the second half.
The action got off to a hot start in Marietta as the visitors wasted no time taking the lead. A eighth minute strike from the Eagles forward on the the second shot of the game put Life U behind 1-0 early. The Running Eagles immediately pressed to get level, responding with a flurry of corners and shots. In the 20th minute, William Galli found Enrico Burigotto from the back line, who leveled the contest 1-1 after being the keeper high.
In the 34th minute after subbing on ample fresh legs, Life U claimed the lead. Andrei Apostu tapped home the long throw into the box from Donavan Smiech to make it 2-1 just before the break.
The Running Eagles went to the half time pause with a 2-1 lead as the opportunities were nearly 50-50 in the first frame.
Out of the break, both teams continued to fire away. Life U found later insurance just minutes out of the water break. After a long ball was swung into the box and headed away in the 72nd minute, Tommaso Senesi hammered home a left footed strike from nearly 30 yards out. The insurance goal gave his squad much needed breathing room. Alejandro Contrera put in the nail in the coffin in the 77th minute on a counter attack. After receiving the pass from Thomas Rodella, Contrera went crossbar-down to make it 4-1 Life U.
The Running Eagles picked up their first SSAC win of the year, 4-1, over #22 Faulkner.
"This was a win the group and coaching staff really wanted," said Head Coach Alex Pama. "We felt we left something on the field Friday, and the guys came out determined to respond. We had a sluggish start, and a rare mistake from our back line put us on the back foot early. But the guys responded well. We picked up the pace, found our rhythm, and scored a beautiful equalizer followed by the go-ahead goal. At halftime, we challenged them to really show how much they wanted this game. They responded again. Two great unanswered goals, combined with an excellent performance off the ball, secured a 4-1 win over a very good Faulkner team. Proud of the response, the effort, and the mentality from this group. Great team win. Onward to Thursday!"
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--The shot count was nearly identical, 17-16.
--Falkner held a narrow edge in corners, 5-4.
TURNING POINT:
--Andrei Apostu gave Life U the lead in the 34th minute after the Running Eagles trailed early.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Enrico Burigotto, Andrei Apostu, Tommaso Senesi and Alejandro Contrera all scored in the contest.
--William Galli, Donovan Smiech and Thomas Rodella all had assists in the game.
Pawel Wolny allowed just one goal while making 6 saves.
UP NEXT:
--Up next, the Running Eagles hit the road for an SSAC bout with Thomas University on Thursday, Sept. 17.
