BELOIT, WI – The Principia College men's soccer team earned an impressive 3-0 win over Beloit College on Saturday afternoon in Wisconsin, securing the Panthers second victory of the season.
Effenberg Joya opened the scoring in the 20th minute, converting a penalty kick after a Beloit foul in the box. The goal marked Joya's fourth of the season, continuing his strong form and moving one behind the conference lead.
Jonathan Keller subbed in later in the game and made an immediate impact in his first game back from an early-season injury. After receiving a perfect pass from
Bradley Mayekiso down the right sideline in the 80th minute, Keller would double the Panthers' lead as he made a strong run to the top of the six and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to the far post. Keller then sealed the win just eight minutes later, stealing the ball from a Buccaneers defender outside the box and firing a shot just under the crossbar to complete his first collegiate brace.
Freshman
Eyasu Smieja stood out as an anchor for Principia, playing all 90 minutes and consistently setting the tempo in the midfield, both offensively and defensively. Panther goalkeepers
Jacob Ellis and
Rafa Ascencio Garcia also played well and got their second combined clean sheet of the season.
The Panthers will look to build off this team win as they head into conference play, beginning next Saturday at home vs Webster at 3:30 pm. In preparation, Principia will play a scrimmage at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis on Tuesday at 5:00 pm.
