SALEM, W.Va. (Oct. 10) – The Tigers scored the match's first three goals and claimed a 4-1 win over Kentucky Wesleyan in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) action Saturday afternoon at Catalano Stadium.
The win improves the Salem International University men's soccer team to 6-5-1 overall and 4-4-0 in league play. Meanwhile, the Panthers fall to 1-6-1 in the G-MAC, 2-8-1 overall.
The Tigers notched the game's first goal in the eighth minute on a free-kick by senior
Javier Ruiz (Mexico City/Universidad del Valle de Mexico) that bent inside the left post. The goal was setup after a poor tackle attempt by the Kentucky Wesleyan goalkeeper, which allowed the free kick to be taken just in front of the left side of the box.
Kentucky Wesleyan had a chance to even the score in the 54th minute when Panther John Landry attempted two shots back-to-back deep inside the box that were turned away by sophomore goalkeeper
Dom Gillespie (Whitley Bay, England/Whitley Bay) to preserve the Tiger lead.
Salem International added some breathing room when junior Samir Amzil took a redirected shot and finished in the middle of the box to put the Tigers up 2-0 in the 75th minute. Ruiz added his second goal of the match in the 82nd minute when he redirected a cross from sophomore
Brandon Couling (Newport, England/Carisbrooke) to give Salem a 3-0 lead.
Kentucky Wesleyan managed to convert a penalty kick seconds later to prevent a shutout, but a last second goal by freshman
Emilio Marti (Madrid, Spain/IES Colmenarejo) reestablished a three goal advantage for the Tigers and gave the squad a 4-1 win in league play.
Gillespie earned his first victory in net this season with five saves, while Ruiz tallied his second multi-goal game of the season to lead the Tigers to the victory.
The Tigers head back to the Catalano pitch Thursday, Oct. 15 when they host Alderson Broaddus in another G-MAC contest. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
