ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The University of Evansville men's soccer team picked up its first win of the season on Friday night, defeating Lindenwood, 3-0, on the road.
Evansville recorded the first shot of the night in the fourth minute when Ben Zec sent an attempt off a corner kick that was blocked.
Lindenwood generated its first scoring opportunity in the ninth minute, earning a free kick from 30 yards out. Hugo Amo came up with a diving save to keep the match scoreless.
The Aces broke through one minute later when Alejandro Fernandez scored his second goal of the season. Following a Lindenwood turnover, Izán Redondo found Fernandez with space on the left side. Fernandez sent his shot into the upper right corner to give the Aces a 1-0 advantage. Redondo was credited with the assist, his first of the season.
Evansville doubled its lead in the 21st minute when Devin Shepherd scored his first goal of the season. Rodrigo Zambrana sent a long-range chip into the box, setting up Shepherd for a header as the Lindenwood goalkeeper closed in. Zambrana recorded his first career assist on the play.
The Aces continued to create opportunities throughout the remainder of the first half, with Redondo, Pablo Calvete and Michael Peres each recording shots on goal. Evansville took its 2-0 lead into halftime.
Lindenwood created several opportunities early in the second half, but the Evansville defense continued to keep the Lions off the scoreboard.
Evansville added to its lead in the 64th minute on a spectacular finish from Etienne Ravelli. Zec's corner kick found Marc Martin on the opposite side of the field, with Martin heading the ball toward the center of the box. Ravelli finished the sequence with a bicycle kick to give the Aces a 3-0 advantage. The goal marked Ravelli's first career goal, while Zec and Martin each recorded their first points of the year with assists.
The Lions recorded their final shot on goal one minute later, but Amo came up with the save to preserve the shutout. Lindenwood was held without a shot over the final 25 minutes of the match.
The Aces continued to generate chances in the closing minutes, with Shepherd recording two shots, including one on goal, while Calvete, Redondo and Benjie Koziura each added an attempt.
"I think it was a total team effort to get a clean sheet, the first time we haven't allowed a goal this season," head coach Robbe Tarver said. "I think it was a complete effort. We limited chances, and we took the ones that we got."
With the win, Evansville improves to 1-4-1 on the season. The Aces return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 15, when they host Southern Indiana in the Mayor's Cup crosstown rivalry at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
