SALT LAKE CITY - The Westminster men's soccer team
opened the 2010 campaign with a 2-1 upset victory over second-ranked The
Master's
College on Thursday at Dumke Field. Westminster
(1-0-0) used two second half goals to rally past the 2009 NAIA runner-up
and
start the season in exciting fashion.
Jake Marchesani put The Master's (0-1-0) in front
1-0 when he scored in the 26th minute and just two minutes after entering the
contest. Marchesani collected a 50/50
ball and fired it inside the far post from just inside the box. The game would remain 1-0 until the 65th
minutes when Westminster senior Nic Duncan buried a shot from 20 yards just
below the crossbar for the equalizer.
Eight minutes later the Griffins benefited from a
hand ball call just outside the side of the Mustangs' box. Westminster sophomore Jace Maxfield buried
the free kick into the side netting for the eventual game-winner. It was Maxfield's first career goal at
Westminster.
The Master's controlled much of the action in the
first 45 minutes as they jumped out to a 6-2 advantage in shots in the opening
half. The second half was played more
even with each team attempting five shots apiece. TMC also finished the game with a 7-1
advantage in corner kicks.
Damir Sabanovic earned his first career shutout in
his first career start between the pipes for the Griffins. He recorded five saves in the contest. Duncan recorded two shots in the contest and
was the only Griffins with more than a single opportunity.
The win improves the Griffins to 18-7-2 all-time in
home openers and runs the home opener winning streak to nine games. They are now 26-7-2 all-time in games played
at Dumke Field and they have now handed TMC two of the last three losses they have
suffered. Westminster claimed a 1-0 win
in a September 19 meeting last season.
Marchesani attempted a game-high four shots coming off
the bench for the Mustangs. Doug
Armstrong attempted two shots and put both on frame. Andrew Bussell suffered the loss in goal.
Westminster returns to action on Friday when they
host 10th-ranked Benedictine College at Dumke Field. That game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
