Second Half PK Lifts Men's Soccer to 2-0 Opening Weekend

(Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN)-- The Cleary men's soccer team was on the road Monday afternoon to take on the Pomeroys of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (SMWC) in the team's second game of the 2025 season.  Cleary would need a pair of spectacular first half saves and a second half penalty kick, but it would be enough to help CU to a perfect 2-0 start in the young campaign.

The game was a cagey one, as both team's struggled to break through.  Cleary would have more of the possession in the game, but the Pomeroys had the two best chances in the first 45 minutes.  SMWC's Andoni Ybanez would receive the ball at the top of the penalty area in the 28th minute, and fired a curling shot towards the upper-right corner of the goal, forcing a diving glove save by Cougar goalkeeper Enrico Bibbo.  Bibbo was called upon again less than two minutes later, as Ybanez once again broke through the Cleary back line and fired a shot.  Bibbo made a kick-save to preserve the shutout, as the game would remain scoreless at the break.

The second half was much like the first, as neither team was able to connect for the big break in the final third.  Cleary's chance came in the 72nd minute.  A throw in from the left side freed up Noah Searl into the box.  His cross attempt was partially cleared, but remained in the penalty area, where it found the foot of Atario Brown.  Brown, the first to the ball, made his touch, and was fouled in the penalty area, setting up a penalty kick in the second consecutive game.  Captain Jack Heald stepped up to take the kick, and for the second straight game, he converted his penalty kick, giving Cleary a 1-0 lead.  That lead would prove to be enough, as SMWC pushed forward, but Cleary's defense did not allow a dangerous chance down the stretch, helping to secure the shutout victory.

Enrico Bibbo made 9 saves on 9 shots on goal to earn a shutout in his first start for the Cougars, and was named Coach Dan Bulley's Man of the Match.  Jack Heald's penalty kick goal was his second of the season.  

SMWC outshot Cleary 17-9, with a 9-8 advantage favoring the Pomeroys for shots on goal.  SMWC committed 16 fouls in the game to CU's 14.

It is the first 2-0 start for the Cougars since the 2014-15 season, when Cleary defeated UM-Dearborn and Lawrence Tech to start the season.

Cleary will return to action after Labor Day, when they travel to Kentucky, to take on the Midway College Eagles in a non-conference matchup on September 4.