JOLIET, Ill. – The William Woods University men's soccer team claimed its first win of the season on Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 victory over the University of St. Francis (Ill.).
 
Scoring for the Owls were David Marshall and Roberto Duro Sanchez. Duro Sanchez scored the game-winning-goal for the Owls on an assist from Gabriel Fontana. The Owls registered a season-high 16 shots in the contest.
 
The Owls return to action on Wednesday, September 6th when they host Culver-Stockton College at Firley Field. This will be the Owls first home appearance of the season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
 
Game Flow
The Fighting Saints of St. Francis got on the board early in the first half. Ten minutes into the contest, the Fighting Saints had a goal kick opportunity, where Joshua Yeaman found Mohamad Rashid for the goal at the right post putting St. Francis ahead, 1-0.
 
WWU continued to battle and the first two shot attempts for the Owls came from Darren Wilson. Wilson's first shot went wide and his next shot was blocked. With 20 minutes left in the first half, Rodrigo Alves had the Owls first shot on goal but Carlos Ferrer Coto made the save keeping the Owls off the board.
 
William Woods tied up the match late in the first half. With ten minutes to go before halftime, the Owls scored its first goal of the season. Coming off a St. Francis turnover, Alberto Pitarch found David Marshall who put the ball in the back of the net tying the game at 1-1. WWU had one more scoring chance in the first half when Logan Christopher had a shot that was saved. WWU and St. Francis went into halftime tied at 1-1.
 
WWU came out looking to take the lead early in the second half as Wilson and Alves put shots on goal but Ferrer Coto made the saves keeping the game tied. St. Francis had a shot on goal by Mason Messina and Matheus Taraszkiewicz made the save for the Owls.
 
The Owls took the lead with 25 minutes left in the contest. Duro Sanchez and Fontana played a give and go that Duro Sanchez put in the back of the net giving the Owls its first lead of the contest, 2-1.
 
After taking the lead, the Owls did not allow the Fighting Saints to get another clean look at the goal. WWU continued to put pressure on the Fighting Saints defense, as they continued to put shots on goals, which the Fighting Saints saved. With neither team scoring again, the Owls came away with a 2-1 victory over St. Francis.
 
By the Numbers
16 – The Owls had 16 shots in the contest
8 – WWU put eight shots on goal in the victory
2 – William Woods scored two goals in the win
1 – David Marshall and Roberto Duro Sanchez scored their first goals of the season
4 – William Woods Goalie Matheus Taraszkiewicz recorded four saves
6 – Rodrigo Alves led the Owls with six shots in the contest  
1 – Gabriel Fontana and Alberto Pitarch recorded assists in the contest