Candi Molina Santana
Contributing Writer
ESU men’s soccer dominated their match against Shippensburg, scoring 3–1 on Saturday.
Following their eighth game of the season, ESU’s record is 4–2–2. After a tough loss against Georgian Court at home, the Warriors avenged their home winning streak.
Shippensburg’s defeat makes their record 2–6. The Raiders’ next game is on Wednesday, Oct. 9 against Seton Hill.
Senior Ignasi Cucurella Tuset, in the last minutes of the first half, scored the first goal of the game. Junior Cayetano Diaz matched his teammate’s energy and scored within the first minutes of the second half. With no hesitation, freshman Benny Goodrich scored two minutes after Diaz’s goal.
The Warriors displayed an impassable defense. They began the game with constant passing and interceptions. The Warriors controlled the ball and held onto it dominantly.
Tuset talked about the team’s new game plan. He also questioned if his team had it down pact.
“We are kinda succeeding. We are controlling the ball and keeping possession. It is a new style that needs time and adaptation.”
After a foul in the sixth minute, Tuset got a penalty kick. He shot and scored, making the score 1–0.
The first goal made Shippensburg motivated. They received the ball and pushed downfield. Although they turned up the intensity, the Warriors stood strong, managing to keep the score 1–0 at halftime.
The second half started with a bang. Within the first few minutes of the second half, Diaz scored on a heavily contested shot. The score of the game was now 2–0. Not even two minutes later, Diaz assisted on a shot taken by Goodrich. ESU had a perfect score of 3–0 in minute 32.
Goodrich reflected on his successful shot and work ethic.
“My game was to work hard and play the best I can. It is just how you improve and take it to the next game.”
Although ESU dominated the first and second half of the game, in minute 10, number four Victor Vottero scored a penalty kick. Nearing the end of the game, Shippensburg was now on the board, making the game 3–1.
Both teams turned on the jets. The teams were openly communicating and yelling at their fellow teammates. ESU held onto the ball to draw out the time and inevitably succeeded. Shippensburg fell short, and the game ended 3–1.
The ESU men’s soccer team came and performed. Head coach Tom Mustac emphasized the importance of being methodical and taking dangerous shots. Between the first and second half, he thought they did exactly what they came to do in the second.
“In the first half we did well but we needed to clean it up. We needed to play with more aggression and become more dangerous,” said Mustac. “We did so much better in the second half. In our game plan, we want to keep the ball and be patient. We want to find those openings and use them.”
Mustac and the Warriors will look to win once again on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at three p.m. in a road game against West Chester.