Men's Soccer Picks Up First Win of Season in Rescheduled Game at Taylor

(Upland, IN)--  The Cleary Cougar men's soccer team was originally scheduled to take on the Calumet Crimson Wave this evening in greater Chicago, but after that game would be cancelled, the Cougars were able to add a visit to the Taylor University Trojans Friday evening.  Cleary would ruin the host's night, as the Cougars went on to win by a 2-0 scoreline.

Cleary started off the game on the front foot, and did control the game from the early goings.  Things would change, when starting goalkeeper Vaios Papadoudis went down with an injury halfway through the first half, forcing backup Diego Amezola-Orozco to come into the game.  Taylor took advantage of the momentum shift, putting pressure on Arozco and the Cougars, forcing the goalie to make three diving saves in the first half to preserve the shutout in his first action of the season.  Those efforts helped to keep the game scoreless going into the halftime break.

In the second half, Cleary would break through, when Adam Baldwin received a through ball up the left middle of the box, and centered a pass to the foot of Brennan Goodrow, who scored his first collegiate goal, and gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead. 

Cleary held firm defensively, and were able to add the insurance goal they needed in the 79th minute.  After earning a throw-in in their defensive half, Conner Savidge heaved the ball up the right sideline to the head of Lesman Morazan, who flicked it forward to Brennan Goodrow.  Goodrow would dribble up the pitch and center the ball to a wide open Jack Heald who slotted it into the bottom right corner of the net, giving the Cougars a 2-0 lead.  Cleary would hold on to the final Trojan push, and won their first game of the season 2-0.

Diego Amezola-Orozco was sensational in goal, making 5 saves on 5 shots in his first action of the season, and also picked up his first career win.  Brennan Goodrow led the Cleary attack with his first career goal and assist, while Jack Heald's goal was also his first of his collegiate career.  Adam Baldwin added his first assist of the season.

Cleary was outshot 14-9 in the game.  The Trojans committed 14 fouls to Cleary's 6, while Cleary held the 5-1 advantage in yellow cards.

Cleary is now 1-1 on the season.  The Cougars will make the trip to the northwest suburbs of Chicago to take on the Roosevelt University Lakers at Morris Field in Arlington Heights, Illinois.  Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM EDT.