ELSAH, IL – The Principia Men's Soccer team hosted their final home game of the 2023 season on Tuesday as they fell 6-2 to Westminster College. After the game, the team held a Senior Night ceremony honoring their four seniors,
Dillon Hussey,
Walter Lazo,
Zach Lemasters, and
Torben Rehnert.
The Panthers had a tough night defensively allowing their most goals in a game this season. After the Blue Jays dominated the first half 4-0, the Panthers actually came out much stronger in the second half and scored two early goals to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Principia's first goal was a beauty by
Effenberg Joya for his team-leading fourth of the season. After receiving a feed from Lazo, Joya popped the ball into the air and bicycle kicked the ball past the Westminster keeper. About ten minutes later, a beautiful tic-tac-toe passing sequence in the box from
Diego Alas to Joya to Lemasters gave Zach a tap in goal in front of his parents on Senior Night. Unfortunately, the Panthers then conceded two more goals to Westminster as they closed out their victory.
Despite Principia's winless streak since their first conference game, the Panthers are still alive in the playoff race. Getting wins in their final two games would go a long way to helping secure a spot in the SLIAC Tournament.
Up Next: After a weekend off, the Panthers' next test comes on Tuesday night against Webster at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in St. Louis at 7:30 pm.
