Box Score LEXINGTON, Ky.—Two first half goals propelled the Transylvania University men's soccer team to a 2-0 win over the visiting Wilmington College Quakers on Wednesday night at Pat Deacon Stadium.
The Pioneers controlled the contest on both sides of the ball, firing off shot after shot and challenging the Quaker goalkeeper while limiting legitimate scoring opportunities on the defensive side.
Transy opened the game with a flurry of shots, including a quality look from midfielder Freddie Siegelman from inside the 18-yard box on the right side at the 3:29 mark in the opening period. Siegelman's shot was narrowly saved but invigorated the Pioneer offense which took another shot just four minutes later, this time off the foot of midfielder Wilson Martin.
Transylvania broke through ten minutes later when midfielder Tyler Joy-Brandon drove a shot past the outstretched arms of the Wilmington keeper and into the back of the net to propel the Pioneers in front 1-0. He was assisted by goalkeeper Cody Waltrip, who had collected an errant pass and punted it downfield. Several more shots ensued in the next several minutes, keeping the pressure on the back line of the Quaker defense.
The attack paid off for Transy as they again found the net in the 34th minute, when Siegelman took a pass from Joy-Brandon and buried it in the goal from the right side to send Transylvania ahead 2-0. The Pioneers would take the two-goal advantage to the locker room at the end of the first period.
In the second half, Transy continued its barrage on goal with a number of good chances to extend their lead. Forward Blake Chidester ripped a shot at the 63:36 mark from the right side that was saved and midfielder Kent maidens followed on the rebound with a shot but missed just left.
The closing minutes of the match saw the Pioneers play the ball back and defensively, as they maintained possession for much of the final 20 minutes of the contest and spoiling and aspirations of a comeback for the Quakers.
Head coach Matt Vogel applauded his team after the game, noting that it was a complete effort from the Pioneers.
"We were enthusiastic and disciplined the entire match. Wilmington became much more aggressive in the second half and our discipline defensively was spot on. This is a huge game for us to build on and I am proud of how the guys played tonight."
Offensively, the Pioneers took 13 shots in the game, sending eight on target. Chidester, Joy-Brandon, Siegelman and Maidens each took two shots in the match, with Chidester and Siegelman putting both of their efforts on goal.
Defensively, Transy limited the Quakers to just three shots on goal in the match, all of which were saved by Waltrip.
Transylvania returns to the pitch on Sunday, as they travel to Rome, Ga. to play Berry College. That match is slated to begin at 1:00pm.
