Box Score Lexington, Ky. – An electrifying first-half goal from junior forward Alex Shkraba led the Transylvania men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over the Hanover College Panthers at Pat Deacon Stadium on Wednesday night.
The win is the Pioneers' fourth straight and grows their record to 6-4-3 overall and 4-1-1 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play while Hanover's record falls to 8-6 overall and 5-1 in the HCAC.
After an uneventful start to the game, the Pioneers took control in the 7th minute when senior midfielder Thomas Shellenberg sent a beautiful pass towards goal that Shkraba blasted into the back of the net, giving Transylvania the 1-0 lead.
Following the goal, Hanover's offense began to operate as the Panthers tallied 10 shot attempts over the final 40 minutes of the opening half. But Transylvania's defense held strong and the score remained 1-0 at the halftime intermission.
Midway through the second half, the duo of Shkraba and junior midfielder Jason Murillo manufactured a pair of shot attempts that nearly expanded the Pioneers lead, but both attempts were thwarted and the one-goal difference held.
Hanover increased its offensive pressure over the game's final minutes, but Transylvania's defense responded with a stellar half of play, leading to the 1-0 final.
Transylvania goalie Drew Grisham turned in a strong performance in goal that included seven saves against no goals allowed in earning the shutout victory. Grisham leads the HCAC in goals allowed with just 11 on the season.
Up next the Pioneers will travel to Bluffton, Indiana for a matchup with the Bluffton University Beavers on Saturday, October 20. The match is set for a 3:30 p.m. start at the Sears Complex.
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