OWENSBORO, Ky. (Sept 17) – A pair of first half goals propelled the Tigers to a 2-1 win over Kentucky Wesleyan Thursday night at Steele Stadium in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play.
 
The Salem International University men's soccer team improves to 3-2-0 overall and 1-1-0 in league play. Meanwhile, the Panthers fall to 0-2-1 in the G-MAC, 0-3-1 overall this season.
 
The Tigers took an early lead in the fourth minute of the match when junior Samir Anzil tallied an unassisted goal.
 
Salem International added the eventual game-winning goal right before halftime, when sophomore Mohamed Ali Khalaf (Jabriya, Kuwait/Jabriya Indian School) took a pass from classmate Dom Gillespie (Whitley Bay, England/Whitley Bay) in the 42nd minute and found the back of the net to put the Tigers up 2-0 heading into the break.
 
Kentucky Wesleyan put pressure on Salem International late with a goal in the 81st minute to make the score 2-1, but the Tigers remained composed and held on for a road G-MAC win under the lights.
 
Senior goalkeeper Elliot Cook (Nottingham, England/South Nottinghamshire Academy) made four saves to preserve the victory.
 
Salem International held a 13-10 edge in shots, with an 8-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Tigers also held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks in the win.
 
The Tigers now hold a 2-0-1 record against the Panthers since joining the G-MAC in 2013.
 
Salem International remains on the road in their next contest, when they head to Nashville, Tennessee to take on Trevecca Nazarene in another league match. The opening kickoff is set for 9 p.m. (local), 8 p.m. central.