Friday, October 30, 2009

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 30, 2009) - An Aaron Schoenfeld (Knoxville, Tenn.) goal in the 14^th minute was all the ETSU men's soccer team needed as the Bucs cruised to a 3-0 win over Lipscomb Friday afternoon at Summers-Taylor Stadium.

"This was a great win, and an important one for our program," said head coach Scott Calabrese. "The three points we got today put us in a great position going forward to qualify for the A-Sun tournament. The team's performance was exceptional as it was a total team effort. This was an inspired effort from a team that knew we had to win today. It's exciting to see that when we are in a position with our backs against the wall and we have to win a game that we have the character and ability to perform well.

The Bucs (4-8-3, 3-4-1 A-Sun) outshot the Bisons (5-9-3, 2-4-2 A-Sun) 11-10 in the match and had five shots on goal to one for Lipscomb. The Bisons had a 3-1 advantage in corners, but ETSU played stellar defense as senior Scott Rosman (Kenner, La.) was forced to only make one save late in the match.

"It was clear that our guys really wanted to win, and that they truly want the season to continue," Calabrese said. "In the end I am extremely proud of them. I think we have got a very intelligent and determined back four. I thought we did a great job of limiting their attacking options. We understood them as a team, and because of that we knew what they were looking to do so we were able to limit their chances."

Schoenfeld's goal came on the counter attack as freshman Alesi Osorio (Austin, Texas) played the ball forward to Schoenfeld on a breakaway. ETSU outshot Lipscomb 5-3 in the half as the Bucs took a 1-0 lead into the break.

The Bucs didn't take long to extend their lead in the second half as Jaron Westbrook (Round Rock, Texas) headed the cross from Matt Reed (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) over the Bisons keeper into the back of the net in the 49^th minute to make the score 2-0 ETSU.

Osorio put the game out of reach in the 86^th minute as he netted the cross from freshman Theo Yang (Lilburn, Ga.) to put the Bucs in front 3-0. ETSU held on the preserve the shutout as Rosman picked up his fifth shutout of the season.

The Bucs are back in action on Sunday at 2 p.m. as they close out the regular season against Belmont. For more information on Buccaneer men's soccer and all other Buccaneer athletic news, please visit www.ETSUBucs.com.