WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — The Hood College men's soccer team tallied three first-half goals to earn a 4-1 victory over Wilkes University on Saturday afternoon at Bruggeworth Field.
Inside the Box Score
Ange Simo (Frederick, Md./Oakdale) notched his first goal of the season via penalty kick along with an assist on the day.
Cristian Topovich (Frederick, Md./Oakdale) launched three shots and scored his first goal of the season.
Brody Smith (Bel Air, Md./Harford Tech) and
Omar Aguilar (Middletown, Md./Middletown) both scored their first Blazer goals.
Adam Labows (Leonardtown, Md./Leonardtown) made three saves and earned the win while
Kollin Purgason (Walkersville, Md./Walkersville) made a save in relief.
How it Happened
After weathering early Wilkes opportunities, Labows and company were able to hold off an early ambush.
In the 29', Smith opened the scoring for Hood. As
Lucas Godfroy (Adamstown, Md./Urbana) and
Aidan Wright (Ijamsville, Md./Oakdale) combined to set up the play, Smith finished the opportunity for a 1-0 Blazer lead.
The Blazers doubled their advantage less than five minutes later. In the 33',
Ange Simo (Frederick, Md./Oakdale) delivered the assist to
Omar Aguilar (Middletown, Md./Middletown), who found the back of the net for his first goal of the year to make it 2-0.
Hood continued to apply pressure and earned a penalty kick in the three minutes before half. Simo stepped to the spot and converted, extending the lead to 3-0 before halftime. The Blazers outshot the Colonels 8-3 in the opening 45 minutes and carried the three-goal cushion into the break.
Wilkes looked to gain momentum early in the second half and cut into the deficit in the 58' when Giovanni Mazzola converted a penalty kick, trimming the Hood advantage to 3-1.
The Blazers responded immediately. Just 30 seconds later,
Cristian Topovich (Frederick, Md./Oakdale) restored the three-goal lead, finishing a setup from
Austin Heffner (Frederick, Md./Urbana).
Hood continued to generate opportunities throughout the remainder of the match.
Caleb Terry (Severn, Md./Annapolis Area Christian) and
Adrian Corsi (Centreville, Va./Westfield) each tested the Wilkes goalkeeper with shots on target, while the Blazer defense limited the Colonels' comeback hopes.
For the Opponent
Giovanni Mazzola scored the sole Colonels goal via penalty kick.
Analysis
Hood led in shots in the first half 8-6.
Only one card was issued during the match.
Notes
Hood improves to 3-4.
Wilkes falls to 0-5.
Up Next
The squad will host Elizabethtown next for their annual Staff Appreciation game set for Wednesday, September 23 with kickoff at 7 p.m. at Thomas Athletic Field.
