JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 6, 2024) – The ETSU men's soccer team used a strong second half to defeat VMI 2-0 in its Southern Conference opener on a sunny, warm Sunday afternoon at Summers-Taylor Stadium.
 
After playing a scoreless opening 45 minutes, the Bucs got goals by Shewit Worton and Gabriel Ramos to begin their defense of a SoCon title with a victory.
 
Worton got the Blue & Gold on the board with his first collegiate goal in the 53rd minute thanks to Jimmy Choi and Ramos setting up the goal. At midfield, Choi found Ramos along the left side who fed a perfect cross to Worton across the six-yard box and he sent one into the back of the net. Eight minutes later, VMI's Colin Blandford was called for a yellow card at the center point outside the 18-yard box, setting up a free kick by Ramos. Ramos lined up and soared one past the Keydet defense and a leaping Zack Murphy for his third goal of the season.
 
Fresh off setting a new program record with 14 saves at Wake Forest on Tuesday night, Buccaneer goalkeeper Marc Kouadio stopped six shots – three in each half – en route to registering his sixth career shutout (second as a Buccaneer).
 
ETSU totaled three more shots than the Keydets, 14-11, while both teams fired six shots on target. VMI finished with one more corner kick, 6-5, while the Bucs were called for one more foul, 10-9.
 
Choi led the Bucs with four shots (all on goal), while two of Ramos' three shots were on net. Following his goal and assist, Ramos now has 43 career points. Ramos has 14 career goals and 15 assists.
 
With the win, ETSU improved to 2-5-3 overall and 1-0-0 in SoCon play, while VMI dropped to 4-5-2, 0-1-0. The Bucs are now 17-0 all-time against the Keydets and 9-0 against VMI at Summers-Taylor Stadium. Fourteen of the 17 games have resulted in shutouts, including the nine meetings.
 
ETSU returns to the pitch on Saturday night when the Bucs play at Wofford at 7 p.m.
 
For more information on Buccaneer men's soccer, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men's soccer tab.