LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Spalding men's soccer earned win one of the 2023 campaign with a thrilling 1-0 victory over Hanover College in the JR Hoe Invitational finale.
The Golden Eagles moved to 1-0-1 after winning the JR Hoe Invitational while the Panthers fell to 1-1.
TURNING POINT
The first half was a tight defensive battle for both squads. Hanover, the 2022 Heartland Conference Tournament runner-up, held a slight edge in possession with the ball for 53 percent of the time in the first frame. Mustafa Almohammedawi got a shot off, but it did not come on frame.
Almohammedawi got this moment in the second half. In the 76th minute, a corner kick from Chadrack Mulondani found Almohammedawi on the left side of the net. Almohammedawi headed the goal in to give Spalding the 1-0 advantage.
The Golden Eagle defense held strong and Spalding came out of the night with a 1-0 victory.
GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES
- The Golden Eagles outshot the Hanover Panthers 7-5 in the second half.
- Almohammedawi had a team-high four shots with two coming on goal.
- Those four shots were a career-high for sophomore. His two shots on target tied for his best mark ever.
- Micah Mattes earned seven saves in his first appearance as the SU keeper. He played the full 90 minutes in goal.
- Chris Mboyo and Almohammedawi were named the JR Hoe Invitational Performers of the Game.
NEXT FOR SPALDING
Spalding travels to Danville, Ky. on Friday to begin play in the Bob Allen Nissan Classic at Centre College. They face Maryville College at 5:30 p.m.
