GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Shenandoah University men's soccer team hit the road on Saturday morning and picked up an important ODAC conference win over the Guilford Quakers. The Hornets (9-5-2, 4-2-1) got two goals from
Nathan Yared along with goals from
Gabe Eckenrode and
Chinedu Ikem as Shenandoah won easily 4-1 over the Quakers. The Hornets out shot the Quakers 18-7, and also had the edge on shots on goal 7-5, Shenandoah also had a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Jarbin Rodriguez led all Hornets and players with four shots, while Yared, Ikem,
Kyle Welch, and
Connor Robles all had multiple shots.
Nathan Lynch started in goal for the Hornets and the senior made four saves while facing seven shots.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets quickly went on the attack as Ikem earned a corner kick in the third minute of play. Welch started the play and passed the ball to the top of the box for Rodriguez to blast a shot, but the defense shifted over and blocked the initial attempt.
Niclas Vavra had a good look at goal as off the blocked ball, his shot was saved on the far post. It was Welch's turn, as the Hornets continued to pressure the keeper early, but his shot sailed just wide. Rodriguez had another look at goal, but this time his shot was saved, as the Quaker keeper kept the score level at zero. Shenandoah finally broke through in the 10
th minute, Ikem dribbled the ball down the left side and as he drew defenders toward him, passed the ball to Vavra, who took a touch and found an open
Nathan Yared who easily beat the keeper. In the 33
rd minute, the Hornets added to their lead. Lynch gathered a cross and sent the ball deep into the Quaker zone, as Ikem gathered the ball, he was fouled from behind.
Kyle Welch set up the free kick from the 35-yard line and sent a ball into the box,
Gabe Eckenrode broke free from his defender and headed the ball past the keeper for a 2-0 lead. The Hornets took that 2-0 lead into halftime.
The Quakers cut into the lead in the 57
th minute off of a foul just outside the box. With two Quakers over the ball to take the kick, they caught the Hornets off guard, and a through ball past the wall left the Quaker forward one-on-one with Lynch, who hit the shot in the upper 90. The Hornets got that goal back in the 66
th minute. First,
Kyle Welch sent a ball into the box for Ikem who got taken down from behind, but no call was issued, and a corner kick was awarded. Off the corner kick, the ball bounced in the box, and a Quaker defender hit the ball with his hand. Ikem stepped up for the penalty kick and drilled it, pushing the lead back to two goals.
Nathan Yared sealed the game for the Hornets after picking up his second goal of the game in the 70
th minute. Off of a throw-in, the ball found the foot of Ikem, with two defenders on him again, Ikem flicked a ball back to Welch, who sent a ball into the box for Yared. Yared took a touch with his right foot and then blasted a left-footed shot to the far post. The goal was Yared's 12 of the season, which is a new season-high total for the senior. His two goals also put him over 100 career points for the Hornets. Lynch made two more saves as the clock hit all zeros, and the Hornets picked up their fourth conference win of the season.
UP NEXT
The Hornets hit the road for the final time as they travel to Harrisonburg on Wednesday for a conference game with Eastern Mennonite before the final two regular season games are at home.
#GoSUHornets
