TAKOMA PARK, Md. - A fast start by Gallaudet University was erased in the second half as the Washington Adventist University men's soccer team shocked the Bison, 8-3, here Friday afternoon on a hot and sunny WAU Turf Field in a non-conference game.
The game was barely a minute old when the Bison found the back of the net. Senior defenderÂ
Bode Aggas (West Henrietta, N.Y.) sent a free kick into the goalie box where first-year forwardÂ
Xavier Deleon (Methuen, Mass.) got his head onto the ball and flicked it high past Shock goalie Michael Delcid (one save). The early marker sent a jolt of energy into the Bison sideline as GU scored its first goal since the season opener, that took place two weeks ago.
Gallaudet (0-5) played sound for the next 37 minutes. The Bison defense blocked the Shock, pestered them and forced turnovers while first-year goalie
John McCabe (Norwalk, Conn.) stood strong and made seven saves.Â
Washington Adventist (1-1-1), a NAIA program, got on the scoreboard in the 39th minute with two quick goals to take the wind out of Gallaudet's sails as the Bison trailed 2-1 at intermission.
The Shock scored early and often in the second half as they built a 7-1 lead with 28 minutes left in the game.Â
GU senior defender
Troy Holcomb (Fremont, Calif.) was able to stop the seven-goal unanswered run by the Shock. The Bison drew a foul in the goalie box and got a penalty kick opportunity against Delcid. Holcomb blasted a hard low shot into the left corner of the net at the 66:50 mark for his first goal of the season.
WAU added an eighth goal in the 72nd minute off a hard shot by Kaleb Simpson in the upper left 90.Â
The Bison capped the scoring when senior
Matteo Giansanti (Rome, Italy) ripped a 20-yard shot that flew past Delcid on the nearside as GU cut the margin down to five, 8-3, with 10 minutes left in the contest. Giansanti's first goal of the season was assisted by Holcomb.Â
McCabe finished the game with 12 saves.Â
BISON TRACKS
- Washington Adventist held a 28-6 advantage in shots
- The Shock held a 4-3 edge in corner kicks
- Gallaudet's three goals are the most against Washington Adventist since 2016 when the Bison lost, 4-3, in double overtime
- GU is now 0-15-1 against Washington Adventist since 2006
UP NEXT
GU returns home and will play host to Mary Baldwin University (1-3-1) in a non-conference game next Friday, Sept. 19, at 5 p.m. at Hotchkiss Field.