Elsah, IL. - After going six straight games without a win, the Principia men were finally triumphant. The team was dominant in their 4-1 victory over Westminster, a rematch of the 0-0 tie from September 25th. On that occasion, Principia only had one shot on goal. Today, the script was flipped - with plenty of goals to go around.
From the start, Principia dictated the game. In the 15th minute, Walter Lazo found Liam Peschke on a beautifully weighted pass splitting the Westminster defense. Peschke pounded the ball into the back of the net, counting for his second goal on the season. Sophomore Walter Lazo's connection with Patrick Sherman defensively allowed Principia to lock the ball to one side and keep Westminster from switching the field. Pablo Alas and Reginald Kiwhele did a fantastic job winning second balls in the middle, which allowed Principia to attack. Kiwhele helped maintain Principia's flow offensively in the first half, connecting probing passes to keep Westminster on their toes. Westminster scored their first and only goal at the end of the first half - a header from Mustekbel Shoune. It was their last shot on goal for the rest of the game.
In the second half, Principia came out firing. A hungry Liam Peschke showed his speed - running onto a lofted diagonal ball, where he played the ball back in for Patrick Sherman's first goal of the game. 2-1 Principia. The next goal came in the 75th minute. This time, it was another Walter Lazo through ball for Juniour Baraza, who carefully slotted the ball just inside the back post. The game was out of reach, but the boys weren't done scoring just yet. In the 88th minute, Lazo found Patrick Sherman at the top of the box, which put the cherry on top of a hard-earned, 4-1 victory.
Principia improved to 2-6-1 in conference play and will continue to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, to make the playoffs, the team will need to capture the 6th seed or higher. Principia currently sits at #7. Their next chance to move up the table will come this Saturday in Carlinville, Illinois, as they take on the 6-2 Blackburn Beavers.
"The team showed great poise, and I am especially pleased by the composure of our backline. Seth Arens and EG Pierce did a nice job initiating the attack out of the back - swinging the ball back and forth, and outside backs Marshall Needham and Jack Beckett were instrumental in finding productive forward passes. Rather than always play the long ball, we are knocking the ball around and connecting. It was beautiful soccer," stated assistant coach David McCook.
Up Next: This Saturday, October 16th, the Panthers will be traveling to Blackburn College to play the Beavers at 1:00 pm. There will be fun commentating for our Homecoming Weekend by soccer alumni Lee Barron and Dana Byquist.
