FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University men's soccer team looks to capture its second win on the season, as the team hosts Avila University on Wednesday evening. The Owls home-opener is set for a 7:00 p.m. kick-off.
"Avila is always a strong side, and any Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) team is going to come to compete," expressed head coach
Nathan Mason.
The Owls (1-0) are coming off an impressive season opener 3-1 win over Graceland University, as the team displayed a strong showing offensively and defensively last Saturday afternoon.
WWU was able to strike first, after a penalty kick was awarded to the Owls.
Alex Severino, who scored a career-high six goals in 2014, was able to record his first this year, as he easily found the back of the net past Graceland goalie, to make it a 1-0 game.
Graceland would then pick up the offensive pressure, scoring the equalizer at the 28:50 mark from the foot of Cody Blentlinder past a diving
Bridger Pretz, tying the game 1-1. The two teams' continued to battle until the half horn sounded, but at the end of the first 45:00 minutes it was a 1-1 tie.
In the second half, the Owls didn't waste any time and within the first five minutes of the second frame,
Lendell Louis-Jacques connected with
Conor Foxall, who one-timed his shot into the far right corner of the net, giving WW a 2-1 lead.
The Owls would put the game away in the 71
st minute with an
Anthony Moscatello goal from teammate,
Julian Wells, putting the team ahead of the Yellow Jackets 3-1, which ended up being the final score, giving the Owls its first win on the season. WWU totaled eight shots in the game, while Pretz in the net and the Owls defense was able to hold strong for the victory.
Last time the Eagles and Owls met up, it ended in a 1-1 (2OT) thriller, after 110:00 minutes of play. Despite having a shot advantage of 20-5 against Avila University, WWU couldn't find the back of the net for the winning goal.
Alan Matthew scored the Owls lone goal, after a penalty kick was awarded to William Woods. However, Avila would respond later in the second half, with a goal from Louis Gallagher which tied the game up at 1-1. After 20:00 minutes of extra play, the score remained the same, which ended the tough battle between both teams in a 1-1 tie.
"We had a very tight, 1-1 game last season," said Mason. "I clearly remember this game, we were a bit unlucky to not come away with a win and the tie felt like a loss last year because we had so many chances."
This season, the Eagles return junior forward, Gallagher, who led the team in goals (nine), shots (47) and assists (five) last year. Avila, however, will be without the service of Jesus Revilla, its three-year starter in the net. Revilla posted 68 saves and six wins last season, while he tied his season-high seven saves against William Woods last year.
Avila University is currently, 0-2 on the year, with both of its losses coming from fellow American Midwest Conference (AMC) foes, Columbia College (0-5) and Park University (0-4). The Eagles have had a rough start to the season, as the team has been outshot 32-5 by its opponents and still looking for its first goal on the year.
Mason and his coaching staff, would love to see the Owls try to dictate the play, as they know it won't be an easy task. "I am hopeful we can get the ball early and mix it up a bit with possessions and direct movement."
Mason added, "I'm excited and confident for our first home game and defensively, if we can stay compact, communicate and dominate set pieces I like our chances to come away with our second consecutive win."
Fans check back on wwuowls.com for a full recap and score from Firley Field tomorrow evening.
