SARAH WANDOR
STAFF WRITER
The Franciscan University of Steubenville men’s soccer team put away another win against the D’Youville College Spartans at home Saturday, Oct. 26.
The match began with high intensity as senior midfielder Ian Baldau scored the first goal five minutes into the game off an assist from sophomore midfielder Nick Miller. The Spartans came back with attempts of their own, trying to tie the game, but the Barons held them in check and stayed in the lead.
The ball went back and forth, as neither team could get a shot off, until sophomore forward Mikey Irvin ripped a shot, but the ball sailed left of the net. Minutes later, D’Youville had a shot from center, but it was saved by junior keeper Brian Gaughan. Senior defense Chip Dougherty cleared the ball, preventing another shot from the Spartans.
The Barons began to possess the ball more and settle in, firing more shots on net. At the top of the second half, junior midfielder JP Bobak had a good shot, but it was saved by the D’Youville goalie. Not long after, however, junior midfielder Sebastian Koehler found Bobak who netted a beautiful shot to give the Barons a 2-0 lead against the Spartans. Again, only three minutes later, Bobak, assisted by Miller, found the back of the net by chipping the ball over the D’Youville keeper, giving the team a 3-0 lead.
With the cracks exposed in the opposers’ defense, the Barons seized more attempts at scoring but struggled to find the net. The Spartans were not about to surrender and came back with attacks of their own as a shot was taken from inside the box, but sophomore defense Matt Kuefler blocked it aside.
The Barons refused to give up a goal and continued their attacks against the Spartans with many shots going wide or over. Freshman midfielder Isaac Doyle performed a perfect shot, but it was sent out wide of the net.
The Barons ultimately held on to their lead and netted another win against the Spartans 3-0.
“I thought we overall played a great game,” said head coach Christian Bobak. “I was happy that we scored within the first 10 minutes of the game — to get off the fast start we needed.” Bobak praised Baldau for his “game-winning goal on his senior day,” and said Miller and JP Bobak were also key to the team’s victory.
The Barons look forward to their final game of the season against Mount Aloysius College Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m.