CARLINVILLE, IL – The Principia Men's Soccer team opened up their conference season on the road at Blackburn College on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers put together their highest scoring performance of the season as they scored five goals for the first time in two years. The 5-2 victory gets Principia off to a confident 1-0 start to SLIAC play.
Three Panthers combined to create most of the offense in this one:
Effenberg Joya,
Walter Lazo, and
Diego Alas. Alas was an engine in the midfield and had a hand in all five goals, even though he was only credited with two assists on the final two goals.
Midway through the first half, a pass from Alas found Lazo, who made a move around a defender in the box. Lazo then passed to an open Joya who slotted home his second goal of the season. Only one minute later, the Panthers scored again with Alas making a run up the right side before finding Joya in the middle. Joya then passed to Lazo, who danced around multiple defender and slammed the ball over the keeper. Then in the 32nd minute, Alas made another run towards goal, and Joya took advantage of a misplay by the goalie to score his first collegiate brace.
Blackburn got on the board early in the second half off a scrambled ball in the box, but the Panthers responded ten minutes later. A great pass from Alas sprung Lazo one-on-one with the goalie, and he scored near post for his second of the game. Four minutes after that, Alas sent another perfect ball to
Ian Koepp, who calmly slotted the ball low into the back post for his first collegiate goal. Blackburn was able to get a second tally off a free kick in the final five minutes, but it was too little too late.
Aside from a few defensive mistakes and some undisciplined yellow cards, the Panthers were excited to see how well they played to begin conference play. They will look to recover quickly in preparation for three straight home games, beginning on Tuesday.
Up Next: Principia will host their first conference men's and women's soccer games on Tuesday evening against Eureka College. The men will play first at 6:00 pm – come support your Panthers!
