ELSAH, IL – The Principia men's soccer team hosted Franklin College on Saturday as they looked to get back in the win column after a three straight losses. After lightning delayed the start of the game, the Panthers scored two goals in the first half and then held on for a 2-1 victory.
Both the Panthers and Grizzlies traded chances throughout, but Principia was able to cash in twice just six minutes apart midway through the first half. In the 21st minute, freshman
Eduardo Salazar flipped the ball over the defense to senior
Effenberg Joya, who kicked the ball out of midair off the bounce past the charging goalie for his first goal of the season. Then in the 27th minute, after a Franklin foul in the box, junior defender
Juan Garcia Lopez converted the penalty kick for his first career goal to double the lead.
Five minutes into the second half, a defensive miscue led to a breakaway by Franklin forward Theo Sasso who slipped the ball past the goalie to cut the lead to 2-1. The Panthers were able to hold firm the rest of the half to secure their first home win and improve their record to 2-3-1. Senior
Jacob Ellis played the first half in net with one save, while freshman
Edgar Cartagena played the second half and made two saves.
The Panthers will host Washington University on Tuesday at 7:30 pm before beginning conference play next Saturday in Mississippi.
