FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University men's soccer team claimed its first victory of the 2018 season on Sunday night with a 1-0 victory over visiting Graceland University.
 
The Owls Darren Wilson broke the scoreless tie with just under eight minutes to go when he scored on a penalty kick.
 
The Owls return to action on Wednesday, August 29th when they travel to Leavenworth, Kansas to face the University of Saint Mary. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
 
Game Flow
The Owls looked to score early in the contest as Stefan Simic had a shot go wide of goal 45 seconds into the contest. Nine minutes later, Yamac Aytekin had a shot that was saved by Liam Smith. WWU kept the pressure on the Yellow Jackets defense as Logan Christopher had a shot that Smith saved keeping the game scoreless.
 
Following Christopher's shot, Graceland bounced back and had shots by two players that the Owls recorded saves on keeping the game scoreless.
 
The Owls had two more scoring chances in the first half as Darren Wilson had two shots in the final four minutes of the half. His first shot went wide and a minute later he had another shot that the Yellow Jackets saved. WWU and Graceland went scoreless into halftime.
 
William Woods had the first scoring chance in the second half as Wessel Albers had a shot on goal that was saved. Following his shot, Graceland countered, and Abraham De Anda had a shot that was saved by the Owls Ben Faherty.
 
The Owls offense continued to put pressure on Graceland's defense as Aytekin had a shot go high of goal. Less than a minute later, Aytekin had a shot on goal that was saved by Smith.
 
After a foul was called on the Yellow Jackets in the box, the Owls Darren Wilson lined up for a penalty kick. Wilson found the back of the net as he shot right and the goalie went the other way. The goal put the Owls ahead, 1-0.
 
The Owls looked to extend the lead late in the second half as Billy Nzojyibwami had a scoring chance on a breakaway but his shot sailed high of goal.
 
Graceland had one more scoring chance with under 30 seconds left in the game. The Yellow Jackets found Gerardo Salgado in front of the goal, around the penalty kick area, and Salgado had a shot that sailed high. WWU defeated Graceland, 1-0.
 
By the Numbers
1 – WWU scored one goal in the victory
1 – William Woods claimed its first victory of the season
13 – The Owls had 13 shots in the contest
6 – WWU had six shots on goal
4 – The Owls outshot the Yellow Jackets by four shots in the game
3 – Ben Faherty recorded three saves in the win