Box Score The Spalding University men's soccer team rebounded from their loss to Thomas More by dominating Defiance 3-0 in their final game of the Bob Allen Nissan Classic. The Golden Eagles outclassed their opponent in all phases of the game from the opening kickoff until the final whistle. Goals were scored by
Julio De Leon,
Joey Lesher, and a free kick from
Deron Buehner was assisted into the back of the net by the Defiance defense for the third goal.
The Golden Eagles totaled 15 shots in the first half of the game, but it was a Defiance defender who put the first score on the board for Spalding. In the 17
th minute
Trevor Bruner drew a foul on the left side of the attacking third for the Golden Eagles. Buehner swung the resulting free kick into the box. The ball bounced off the head of a defender and into the back of the net.
In the 31
st minute De Leon forced a turnover near midfield. He immediately began a dynamic run directly to goal. Within seconds De Leon had run past everyone, including the Defiance goalkeeper, and slotted home an easy finish for a 2-0 lead. Later in the half, in what would become a foreshadowing of sorts, Lesher hit a grass-cutting ball from 25 yards out that was on frame, but pushed wide by the goalkeeper. Spalding would enter halftime holding a 2-0 lead.
In the second half the Golden Eagles added 13 more shots to their shot total. In the 53
rd minute, one of those shots found the back of the net. Bruner began the play by switching the point of attack with a long ball that found Lesher in open space. Lesher hit a screamer from about the same spot on the field as his near score in the first half. This time the ball found the back of the net, getting past the diving goalkeeper and pushing Spalding's lead to an insurmountable 3-0, a score that would hold until the final whistle.
Logan Spencer made 4 saves and helped anchor a defense that produced its second shutout of the season. The Golden Eagles victory over Defiance improved their record to 3-1-0.
The Spalding University men's soccer team returns to action on Tuesday, September 9 at Anderson University. Kickoff is set for 5:00 PM EST.
