FULTON, Mo. - After holding their own against the defending national champions on Thursday night, the William Woods University men's soccer team unleashed the fourth-highest offensive output in program history, downing Brescia University 7-1 on Saturday evening. The Owls had seven different scorers in the match, with three of the goalscorers -
Breck McGrail,
Nico Martinez Labra and
Ben Lachaize - adding assists to their accounts in the win.
William Woods opened the scoring in the 15th minute, earning a penalty kick as McGrail ran onto a long ball and was taken down by Bearcats goalkeeper Chase Garrett as he rounded the Brescia keeper.
Florian Senst stepped up to take the kick, and although Garrett saved the initial effort, the assistant referee called for a re-take as Brescia's goalkeeper was off his line. Senst buried the second chance to give WWU a 1-0 lead.
Nine minutes later, the Owls would capitalize on another Jefferson City connection, as McGrail lofted a pass through traffic to
Miles Andrews on the near post. Andrews needed just one touch to record his third goal of the season, with his no-look outside of the boot flick sailed over the head of Garrett and into the back of the net.
Labra added a third for WWU in the 31st minute, and the Owls took a comfortable 3-0 lead into the break,
Early in the second half, McGrail was again taken down in the penalty area by Brescia's goalkeeper, this time as the Owls forward was dribbling directly toward goal. But McGrail's last touch toward goal was a strong shot under the reach of Garrett, and as the referee allowed the advantage to play out, the ball rippled the side netting, putting WWU up 4-0 in the 47th minute.
After facing just one shot on goal in the opening 53 minutes,
Wil Rieves gave way to
Justin Sharkey in goal for William Woods, and while the redshirt freshman did surrender a goal to the Bearcats on a miscommunication in the 63rd minute, Sharkey redeemed himself in the 70th with a huge penalty kick save.
William Woods looks to even its record at 3-3 on Wednesday night, heading to Canton, Mo., to take on Culver-Stockton College. Kickoff for the match is set for 6:30 p.m.
