FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist men's soccer takes a 2-0 loss, in their final non-conference game, to Virginia Wesleyan University Wednesday night, at Duggins Soccer Stadium.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Virginia Wesleyan def. Methodist, 2-0
Records: Methodist 2-5-1, Virginia Wesleyan 6-1-1
Location: Duggins Soccer Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- With about 11 minutes until the half, the Marlins were on the offensive. Once they bought the ball into the Monarchs box and took a couple of shots. The first one was blocked and bounced around before Virginia Wesleyan settled and kicked it into the net.
- Prior to the Marlins taking a 1-0 lead, Truls Ballo just nearly missed a goal for Methodist. With the ball on the far side, Christopher Shoffler crossed the ball toward an open Ballo, who headed the ball a foot over the crossbar.
- The Monarchs came close to scoring the equalizer late in the second half. Once again, Ballo was involved with a shot on goal, in the 86th minute. It could not get past Virginia Wesleyan's keeper, as he made the save.
- The Marlins put the game out of reach in the 89th minute. As they would steal the ball deep in Methodists' defensive third, for a one-on-one match up with Cole Hupp, and got the kick past him.
NUMBERS
- Besides Ballo, with one shot on goal, freshman Jayse Gleeson had the only other shots on goal, with two.
- Despite the Monarchs having more shots, 13-10, than Virginia Wesleyan, it was the Marlins who had more shots on goals, 5-3.
- Methodist clearly possessed the ball, in the attacking third, more than Virginia Wesleyan attack. Prove of this was in corner kick opportunities with the Monarchs owning a 10-4 advantage.
NEXT UP
Methodist begins their conference schedule, on Saturday at 5 PM, with a home match against the visiting Southern Virginia University.