It’s getting hot in here!
The ETSU men’s soccer team set Patchin Field on fire Tuesday night in an exciting game against Southern Conference foe VMI in Lexington, Virginia.
VMI could not contain the number of shots from the Bucs, or get many shots going themselves as they only had a total of six compared to ETSU’s 28, with of them being 14 on goal.
ETSU star goalkeeper Jonny Sutherland ended the game with two saves with the help of the team’s defense.
The first half of the game looked good for the Bucs. The team was leading 3-0 before the 57:56-minute mark with one goal from freshman defender Joe Pickering (East Sussex, England) and two goals from Junior forward Fletcher Ekern (Knoxville, Tenn.).
The goal by Pickering was the fastest goal this season, occurring in the game’s third minute, and his first collegiate goal.
“Rare occasion for me to get a goal and help the team,” Pickering said. “I’m happy”
At 57:56 is when VMI broke their silence.
VMI’s Sam Moffatt scored on a penalty kick due to the Keydets drawing foul in the ETSU penalty box, resulting in two yellow cards against the Bucs.
Despite the efforts of the Keydets, Pickering adding on another goal and Woodfin followed with one on his own to give ETSU a 5-1 lead. VMI failed to respond and the Bucs closed the game as the winners.
“I thought it was a complete performance,” said ETSU Head Coach Bo Oshoniyi. “I thought the first half was probably some of the best soccer that we’ve played in the attacking-third since I’ve been here … Our ball movement, movement off the ball, we took our chances well so I was really excited about how we started the game.”
The Bucs’ next two games will be their final home games. They face Furman Saturday at 7 p.m. and UNC-Greensboro next Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a Bucs Backing Bucs game and Senior Day.
