CEDARVILLE, Ohio (Sept. 7) – The Vulcans were shutout after conceding three goals in the first half on Saturday night in a 4-0 loss at Cedarville (Ohio) in non-conference action.
With the loss, the California University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team drops to 0-2 this season after playing a pair of non-conference matches. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jacket secure their first win of the year and hold 1-0-1 record after being selected second in the preseason Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) poll.
Cedarville controlled possession in the opening 10 minutes of the match and fired a pair of shots that missed wide of the net. Cal U countered with an attempt from sophomore
Negus Johnson (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township) that went just right of the post in the 15th minute. The Yellow Jackets' early efforts would pay off with a goal by junior Gui Fernandes from nearly 25 yards out that curled into top right-corner at the 16:51-mark, 1-0. Senior goalkeeper
Joseph Valeriano (Southampton, N.J./Seneca) came up with two saves midway through the first half to keep the Vulcans within striking distance. Cedarville then scored in the 35th minute on a goal from junior Pedro Alvares with an assist by classmate Nick Marculo. Sophomore
Abdulla Nuredini (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford) nearly cut into the lead at the 39:17-mark on a free kick, but the Yellow Jacket goalie came down with the save. Cedarville freshman Jackson Ellison extended the advantage in 42nd minute with a goal over the head of the goalie from 22 yards out to take a 3-0 lead into the break.
The Yellow Jackets continued the pressure with four shots and a corner kick early in the second half. Cal U nearly conceded a goal at the 55:21-mark, but the defense cleared a ball right off the goal line for a second-straight match. Cedarville added another insurance goal in the 65th minute by sophomore Andre Salviano, his first of the season, with an assist collected by senior Zac Muir. Cal U managed just two shots in the final 25 minutes of the contest as the Yellow Jackets secured a 4-0 victory.
Valeriano posted two saves in the first half and faced 19 shots in the match while playing all 90 minutes.
Cedarville finished the contest with 19-5 shot advantage, including 10 shots in second half, and held a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.
Cal U is idle for a week before it travels to face Malone on Saturday, Sept. 14 in Canton, Ohio, at 5 p.m.
