Men's Soccer Defeats Eureka College in Conference Opener

Eureka, IL – Principia College Men's Soccer traveled to Eureka College for their first SLIAC game of the season. 
 
A Look at the Match- Principia played a strong game against the Red Devils to earn their first SLIAC win. In the tenth minute of the game, Juniour Baraza served a cross into the box and Walter Lazo headed the ball into the back of the net. Lazo then assisted Cole Heinbaugh in the 24^th minute for the second goal of the game, and in the 30^th minute, Principia earned a penalty kick, which Lazo calmly finished.  Eureka earned a penalty kick of their own on a counter attack at the end of the first half and Diego Cintora converted, bringing the score to 3-1 in favor of Principia at the end of 45 minutes.  Principia played into the wind in the second half, but they continued to hold the ball and attack.  Patrick Sherman scored in the 56^th minute, E.G. Pierce scored 62^nd on a corner kick, Walter Lazo scored his third goal of the game in the 65^th, and Gastuvas Balukake completed the scoring for the Panthers in the 79^th minute (Principia 7 – 1 Red Devils).  
 
Good to Know-

• Walter Lazo scored a hat-trick and tallied two assists in his debut for Principia College
• Goal Scorers: Patrick Sherman, Cole Heinbaugh, E.G. Pierce, Gastuvas Balukake, Walter Lazo
• E.G. Pierce and Nathan Babcock returned to the field for the Panthers

 
Coach Quote
"Now that we are playing games we are starting to really come together as a team. We have a lot of new players and today was another great opportunity for us to improve and grow as a team.  We are starting to see the players forge stronger and stronger connections on the field.  I'm looking forward to seeing just how much chemistry this team can generate together."
Jess Semnacher, Head Coach
 
Up Next- On Saturday, 3/13/2021, at 3:00PM, the Principia will host Blackburn College at their temporary home field, Ralph Korte Stadium at SIUE.