OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's soccer team opened a much-anticipated season with a dominating performance over in-state foe Berea College. The Panthers scored five goals in the first period en route to a 7-1 victory over the Mountaineers. The trio of
Matteo Napoletano,
Santiago Henrich, and
Jacob Boling ended the match with three points.
It was quick start on the pitch for the Panthers (1-0) as
Matteo Napoletano scored his first goal of the season in the second minute of the game.
Santiago Henrich delivered a sparkling pass across to Napolentano who had plenty of time to deliver the opening score.
In the 21
st minute Napolentano was on the receiving end of free kick and found
Max Wawrin charging from the opposite side of the field. Wawrin's speed allowed him enough space to get through traffic and score his first goal of the season and give the Panthers a 2-0 lead.
The Mountaineers (0-1) saw the game speed-up real fast as Wesleyan added goals in the 23
rd and 24
thminutes. Boling assisted both scores, serving-up
Daniel Nkurunziza and
Santiago Henrich.
Hannes Gronevik teamed-up with
Carter Hoagland in the 36
th minute for another goal as the Panthers went into intermission with a 5-0 lead.
The Mountaineers scored their lone goal of the match off a steal in the Panthers' zone in the 67
th minute. Wesleyan answered in the 84
th minute as Boling received a free kick and found
Declan Sandifer for the header and the sixth goal of the match. Rasmus Fredrickson converted in the 87
th minute off a corner kick from
Mohammed Alshabot.
Napolentano took four shots on the night and converted one goal and recorded one assist. Boling dished out three assists while Henrich finished with a goal and an assist.
Arthur Hill played 58 minutes to record his first win of the season. He also made three saves.
The Panthers will host the University of Missouri – St. Louis on Sunday. The match is schedule to start at 3:30 PM.
Stay up to date on all your Panther news by following @KWCpanthers on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the "Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics" Facebook page.
