MEADVILLE, Pa.—A pair of early goals lifted the Allegheny College men's soccer team to a 3-0 victory in their final non-conference bout of the season on Tuesday (Oct. 2) against Washington & Jefferson College.
Jon Sion got the Gators off to a quick start. Off a pass from
Nick Taliani, Sion beat his defender and scored far side from a short distance, just 97 seconds into the game. The goal marked the fourth of the season for the senior.
Cory Wiard preserved the lead in the sixth minute with a save on a shot inside the box.
Sion appeared to score his second goal of the game in the tenth minute off a rebound, but the goal was negated by an offside call.
The Presidents had an opportunity to tie it in the 19
th minute, but Wiard made a save on a header.
The Gators extended their advantage in the 23
rd minute.
Danny Reid received a pass in the box on the far side. After dancing around the Washington & Jefferson defenders, Reid crossed the ball in front of the net to Taliani, who struck from the short distance.
The teams were even in the first half with seven shots and two saves apiece.
The Gators had a pair of chances to start the second half. In the 55
th minute, Reid found
Eddie Opalko on a cross in front of the net, but the President goalie Nick Statsko turned the shot away. On the ensuing corner kick, a Gator scoring attempt was knocked away on the goal line by a President defender.
In the 59
th minute, the Gators broke through once again.
Dillon Thoma had a long throw into the box, which trickled through and found Taliani, who headed it in for his second tally.
In the 71
st minute, the presidents put a pair of shots on net, but once again Wiard stifled the scoring chances to keep the shutout going.
The Gator defense held down the fort the rest of the game to secure the clean sheet for Wiard.
Wiard finished the game with four saves.
Taliani had four points, on two goals and an assist to lead the offense. Sion also scored a goal while Thoma had an assist.
The Gators return to North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) action Friday (Oct. 5) when they host Ohio Wesleyan University at 5:30 p.m.
