FLORENCE, Ky. – Behind two goals from sophomore
Federico Toschi, the Salem University men's soccer team outlasted Oakland City 2-1, on a chilly fall afternoon on Saturday.
In a fairly chippy match, each team picked-up 12 fouls. Last season the Tigers fell to the Mighty Oaks 2-1 in a battle where tempers flared.
"The win today concludes the regular season with an overall record of 9-7-2 which betters last season's record and ensures a spot in the ECAC Championship Tournament. Today's match was a tough encounter as it is always between Salem and Oakland City," stated head coach
Florin Marton.
The Tigers have won five out of their last seven matches.
Toschi notched his first goal early as sophomore
Mark Ferenczi-Bako hit a corner kick and found Toschi, who poked the ball near the right post between the keeper and a defender at 1:27 for a 1-0 Tiger lead.
Oakland City responded with a goal at 12:05 as Adolfo Rivas lined up for a free kick and kicked the ball off a Salem wall, rebounded the kick and hit a shot from about 20 yards out in the upper right corner to tie the match 1-1.
10 minutes later senior
Sjoerd Schobbers connected with Toschi on a fast break, who went one-on-one with the Oakland City keeper and put the ball in the back of the net for a 2-1 Salem lead.
"The win was a full team effort and was a great way to end the season for senior captain
Sjoerd Schobbers, who inspired the team not only with his pre-game speech but also with his performance on the field. The 2018 season adventure is to be continued," added Marton.
In the second half, neither team could produce a goal, but the match became extra physical as a few Tigers dealt with injury.
Junior
Juan Toribio filled in for the ill senior
Amon Tarus and freshman
Nicholas Collins who is dealing with the passing of his grandmother as Toribio held his own and performed well for the full 90 minutes.
Salem is set to play in the Eastern College Athletic Conference the weekend of November 16th-18th. More details to follow at a later date.
