FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. A goal right before halftime was enough for the Monarchs to claim the victory Wednesday afternoon, triumphing over visiting Mary Baldwin University, 1-0, in USA South Athletic Conference men's soccer action.
Alejandro Lopez's good week continues. On Saturday, he scored his first career goal and earned his first collegiate win. On Monday, he was named the conference's rookie of the week. On Wednesday, Lopez logged an assist to
Ulises Sanchez for the game-winning goal in the 44th minute.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Methodist def. Mary Baldwin, 1-0
Records: Methodist 2-3 (2-3 USA South); Mary Baldwin 0-3 (0-3)
Location: Duggins Soccer Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.
GAME NOTES
- Lopez's assist was marvelous. Close to the near-post, Lopez sent a pass across the goal to an unmarked Sanchez, who scored the open-net opportunity.
- Credit goes to Cole Hupp and the Monarch defense that preserved the shutout despite facing 10 shots (14 total) in the second half. Hupp earned four saves in the second half and the defense also registered a team save.
- Each team had several good looks to add goals to the scoreboard. In the second half, an unfortunate first touch prevented a surefire goal for Trent Powell and a beautiful shot from Lopez hit the crossbar and the ricochet stayed airborne long enough for the Fighting Squirrels to challenge Hudson Zeisman in the air.
- The 23 combined fouls and seven yellow cards still might be downplaying the chippiness in this game. Those offenses also kept either team from truly finding their groove.
- The goal was Sanchez's second career score and his first in the last 32 games he has appeared in.
- For Methodist, this is its first pair of consecutive wins in league play since the 2017 season.
UP NEXT
- The Monarchs are home again when they welcome William Peace University in league action on Saturday, March 20 at 7 p.m.
- Mary Baldwin hosts North Carolina Wesleyan University in conference play Saturday at 3 p.m.
