FULTON, Mo. - William Woods (9-5-4, 2-2-3 AMC) rediscovered its scoring touch in a big way on Tuesday night, with four different goalscorers contributing in a 4-0 romp over Harris-Stowe State University (8-6-1, 2-4-1 AMC) to close the regular season.
After scoring goals in bunches at the beginning of its 11-match unbeaten run earlier this season, William Woods men's soccer had run into a scoring drought over the past several matches, notching only one goal in four matches. But a fourth-minute strike by
Breck McGrail off a quick throw-in by
Evan Filer opened the floodgates on a rainy Tuesday night.
Chasing the opportunity to host a home playoff match, the Owls kept up the pressure and found redemption in the 21st minute, as
Sam Gonzalez pestered HSSU's Michael Brennan into a turnover as the keeper was playing 25 yards out from goal. Gonzalez won the loose ball and outpaced Brennan to the back post, converting into the wide open net.
As the rain came down, the temperature of the match began to rise, with Harris-Stowe's Juan Sebastian Moreno earning a caution in the 31st minute. Tempers settled briefly after the yellow, but an uncalled foul would give the Woods a 3-0 lead in the 42nd minute.
First half substitute
Miles Andrews battled through a cloud of Hornets on the left side, with an HSSU defender holding on to his jersey for all its might. The official allowed the advantage to develop for the Owls, with Andrews dancing through a pair of defenders on the edge of the penalty area. Through traffic, Andrews spotted
TJ Mathias-Nwaulune and slipped a deft pass through that Mathias-Nwaulune tapped to the back post.
After the break, Harris-Stowe threw numbers into the attack trying to claw back into the match, but Woods kept the Hornets from any serious threat.
David Fink added the finishing blow in the 73rd minute, blasting home an incomplete clearance for the four-goal cushion.
With the win, the Owls climb into fourth place and will await the results of Saturday's matches to determine their playoff fate. Follow wwuowls.com on Saturday evening as the AMC Men's Soccer Championship bracket will be announced.
