LAMONI, Iowa.—The William Woods University men's soccer team displayed a strong showing offensively and defensively in its season opener on the road, as the Owls defeated Graceland University, 3-1.
After a back-and-forth defensive battle early through the first half of play, in the 20
th minute, the first goal on the 2015 season was scored for William Woods (1-0).
After an offside call, a Yellow Jacket (1-1) defender was attempting to clear the ball up the field, but
Alex Severino deflected the ball, which went right to
Rhys Wallace, whom chipped it into the box for a cutting
Anthony Moscatello, but he was tripped inside the box and a penalty kick was awarded for WWU.
Severino, who scored a career-high six goals in 2014, was able to tally his first this year, as he easily found the back of the net past Graceland goalie, Alex Richt, to make it a 1-0 game.
Graceland would pick up its offensive pressure over the next few minutes, attempting two shots, but both went wide of the net. Then, at the 28:50 mark, the Yellow Jackets scored the equalizer, as Cody Blentlinger received a deflected pass from his defense just outside the 18 yard box.
Blentlinger went on to make a couple moves and blast his left-footed shot past a diving
Bridger Pretz, who was making his collegiate debut for WWU in net, to make it a 1-1 game.
The two teams' continued to battle until the half horn sounded, as only two shots were taken, both by WWU's Severino and
Brett Hodges, but at the end of the first half, it was a 1-1 tie.
In the second half, the Owls came out of the gates soaring, as in the 51
st minute,
Lendell Louis-Jacques would dribble inside the far left side of the box, gain the edge and right before the ball went over the end line, he passed the ball to
Conor Foxall, who one-timed his shot past Richt into the far right corner of the net, to give WWU a 2-1 lead.
The Owls would put the game away in the 71
st minute, as off a throw in and taking the ball away from a Yellow Jacket player,
Ryan Howell would clear the ball up the right side for
Julian Wells, who one-touched the ball past a Graceland defender.
The ball rolled all the way up to the right side of the 18 yard box, which forced Richt to come out to make a play, but as he was sliding, Wells made a great pass into the box for
Anthony Moscatello. The Algonquin, Illinois, native, took a shot, but was blocked by a Graceland defender, however, he fell on the play and Moscatello was able to follow up the rebound shot with a goal, to give the Owls a 3-1 lead.
Along with Pretz in net, the Owls defense was able to hold strong the final 19:00 minutes of play and secure the two goal victory for William Woods.
WWU totaled eight shots in the game, with Severino leading the way with three. In goal, Pretz, picked up his first win in his career, as he made one save on the afternoon.
The Owls will look to win its second game in a row in front of the home crowd on September 2
nd, as they host Avila University. Kick-off will start at 7 p.m.
Fans make sure to stay updated on wwuowls.com on Tuesday afternoon for a full preview of the game against the Eagles.
