BOX SCORE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Freshman
Nate Opperman scored a late goal on a cross from fellow freshman
Mark Anthony Gonzalez to give the University of Evansville men’s soccer team a 1-0 victory in a rain-shortened contest over visiting SIU Edwardsville in a Missouri Valley Conference match Wednesday night at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
With 9:36 remaining in the contest, the skies opened up over McCutchan Stadium as rain and lightning delayed the match and eventually brought it to an end. Opperman’s goal on a UE (8-5-0, 2-1-0 MVC) counter proved to be the lone goal of the match and occurred just over five minutes before the delay.
Both teams shared possession in the opening half, with each side creating a pair of scoring chances. SIUE (10-5-0, 2-2-0 MVC) outshot the Aces, 6-5, in the first 45 minutes and got shots on goal from Kevin Stoll and Christian Volesky.
Nick Schroeder nearly scored on a long header for Evansville and
Mack Hasinger had a shot from close range turned away by SIUE keeper John Berner.
UE earned a trio of corner kicks in the first stanza, but could not convert, as the match remaining scoreless heading into the locker room.
SIU Edwardsville controlled much of the possession and tempo in the second half, firing six of the half’s first seven shots. However, the Aces mounted a counter attack that turned into a goal, as Gonzalez dribbled up the right side of the fear and sent in a cross that was finished from Opperman for this third goal of the season.
The Cougars nearly scored on the very next possession as a header from Volesky nearly got by Evansville goalkeeper
Eric Teppen. SIUE continued to apply pressure, but the UE defense kept them at bay and preserved the win and shutout.
Charlie Macias led Evansville offensively with a pair of shots and was the only UE player to attempt more than one. Teppen picked up his fourth shutout of the season, making four saves.
The Aces will be back on their home pitch for their next contest, when they host MVC opponent Central Arkansas Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.
