DANVILLE, Va. The Methodist men's soccer team returned to action Wednesday evening, traveling to Averett University for a non-conference matchup. The Monarchs put on an offensive clinic, scoring seven goals to cruise past the Cougars, 7–0, at Daly Field.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Averett, 7–0
Records: Methodist 7–0–3, Averett 0–6–0
Location: Daly Field; Danville, Virginia
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Methodist opened the scoring in the ninth minute. As Averett's backline attempted to reset, a pass was played back to the Cougars' goalkeeper, who came off his line to settle the ball. His touch got away from him, allowing senior Carson Stretz to win possession and fire into an open net to give the Monarchs an early 1–0 lead.
- After a period of back-and-forth play, Methodist began to apply increased pressure in the attacking third. That pressure resulted in a barrage of shots inside the box in the 24th minute, although Averett's defense managed to block each attempt.
- The Monarchs eventually broke through again in the 31st minute. Junior Cameron Lambert put a shot on goal that was stopped by the Averett goalkeeper, but the rebound fell to Stretz, who settled the ball before finding the back of the net for his second goal of the night and a 2–0 Methodist advantage.
- Methodist carried its momentum into the second half and added to its lead in the 57th minute. On a corner kick, junior Aiden Gummer delivered a tremendous ball into the box, where senior Garrett Panos rose above the defense and headed it into the net to make it 3–0.
- Gummer got in on the scoring himself eight minutes later. In the 65th minute, another Methodist corner kick curled directly into the net, giving the Monarchs a 4–0 lead.
- The offensive onslaught continued shortly after, with senior Charles Drew making it five unanswered goals. On a counterattack, Drew outran his defender to track down a long pass before collecting the ball, beating a charging goalkeeper and finishing the play for his first goal of the season.
- Methodist added two more goals before the final whistle.
- In the 85th minute, senior Camden Hancox collected the ball roughly 30 yards from goal and dribbled forward before finding a crashing Ethan Bolden. Bolden finished the sequence with a touch past the goalkeeper and into the net for his first collegiate goal.
- The Monarchs capped the scoring in the 90th minute. Senior Sam Wiggins sent a long through ball from the Methodist side of the middle third, finding freshman Will Nau. After collecting the pass, Nau carried the ball toward the top of the box before firing a shot that ricocheted off the bottom of the crossbar and into the net for another first collegiate goal.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Methodist has now scored seven goals in a game twice this season.
- The seven-goal margin of victory is tied for the second-largest in the 54-match history between Methodist and Averett.
- Stretz led the Monarchs with two goals, matching his career high.
- Bolden, Gummer and Nau each scored the first goals of their collegiate careers.
- Methodist dominated the offensive numbers, outshooting Averett 27–3, including a 16–1 advantage in shots on goal.
- Senior Trey Gohr started in goal and played the first 69 minutes, making one save. Freshman Julian Robinson played the final 21 minutes, making his collegiate debut.
UP NEXT
Methodist returns home Saturday, October 3, for a USA South matchup against Mary Baldwin University at noon. The contest will also serve as Senior Day, with nine Monarch seniors honored before kickoff.
