FULTON, Mo. - (RV) William Woods University (8-2-5, 4-0-1 American Midwest Conference) fired on all cylinders in the first match of its three-game homestand, shutting out first-year AMC member Mission University (1-9, 0-6) 8-0, as eight Owls got on the scoresheet Tuesday at North Campus Athletic Complex.

Staying dominant throughout the contest, WWU outshot the Patriots 17-2 in the first half and 18-4 in the second half, 35 (17 on goal) to six (three on goal) overall. The Owls also had all 10 of the contest's corner kicks, which helped it have significantly more attacking chances.

"Tonight's performance allowed us to get minutes for plenty of guys, especially a few who got their first collegiate minutes," William Woods men's soccer coach Tommy Nienhaus said. "Took a bit to find our footing (goals). In the second half, the game opened up and allowed for different types of goals. Looking forward to Saturday." 

Despite taking William Woods 15:56 to net its first goal, the Owls scored four in each half.

TJ Mathias doubled his goal tally for the season and opened the scoring in the 16th minute for William Woods with his unassisted goal. Fourth-year Owl Lubos Polacko found the back of the net for the fourth time this year to make it 2-0 William Woods in the 31st minute.

Six minutes after Polacko's goal, Owls junior Benjamin Lachaize notched his first goal since Sep. 13, 2023, to further The Woods' lead to 3-0. Miles Andrews became the second sophomore on the scoresheet, slotting his shot past the goalkeeper off a David Fink assist in the 40th minute for his sixth goal this season to hand the Owls a 4-0 advantage at halftime.

Just 8:33 into the second half, William Woods raised its lead to 5-0 when senior Anthony Lint scored his first goal in two years as an Owl, which Fabio Juricko provided.

Freshman Moritz Schafer was involved in The Woods' next two goals to give him a match-high three points, doubling his season points total. Schafer assisted sophomore defender Simone Morona's first goal this season in the 63rd minute, and 21 minutes later, the German newcomer netted his first goal in six matches.

The Owls capped their offensive onslaught with 3:56 remaining in the contest, as Ajani Smith sent his attempt past the goalkeeper from Pedro Salmon's assist.

Defensively, it was a memorable night for WWU goalkeeper Marcelo Rumbos, who made three saves in as many attempts when he was between the posts for the second half.

Both teams committed 11 fouls, with the Patriots bench receiving a yellow card in the 40th minute and the Owls playing a clean game with no cards.

William Woods men's soccer has the nightcap of a tripleheader of Owls athletics events on the school's first-ever Homecoming weekend, hosting the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis (1-11, 1-4 AMC) at 8 p.m. Saturday.