Box Score Richard Bonsi's 61st minute scrambler proved to be the match winner as Principia men's soccer went on the road to Monmouth College and secured their second consecutive shutout win. On this day, Principia came out and played with purpose and positive industry and were a threat every time they pushed forward and were unfortunate not to capitalize on several scoring chances early in the game.
Dubien Tshimanga and
Nate Waters were a handful all afternoon terrorizing the Scotts defense and forcing their goalkeeper to make early saves to keep the game scoreless.
Leif Carlson and Bonsi were also denied several goal scoring opportunities. The Scotts had a couple scoring opportunities off counter attacks in the first half but both times their final touch would fail them.
With the panthers holding the upper hand in possession in the game it was clear when the second half began that the panthers were bound to unlock the entrenched Scotts defense. Principia finally unlocked the Scotts midway through the second half when
Ross Johnson's throw- in was squared into the box by
Evan Sperr. The service eluded Tshimanga's ambitious overhead kick in the box and bounced off an unsuspecting Scott's defender rolling perfectly to a hungry Bonsi inside the box. Bonsi struck a low driven ball to the bottom left hand corner beyond the keepers reach for his first goal of this season.
The Scotts mounted a charge in the dying minutes but once again, their final touch let them down. Carlson had a chance to put the game away following a mazy run through three Scotts defenders before his attempt to shoot was thwarted by a trailing Monmouth defender.
Gavin Thomas was solid in goal again to earn his second consecutive shut-out of the season while
John Gotwals and Sperr were the steadying ship in the middle of the defense. Kudos to the rookies again as
Michael Rohrer and Johnson continued with another solid display at outside back.
Kevin Silcox's marauding runs on the left flank provided much needed width for the team. The Panthers continue their non-conference slate of games with a trip this coming weekend to Indiana to face Manchester University on Friday before facing Anderson University on Saturday afternoon.
