ETSU men’s soccer defeated the Presbyterian Blue Hose in a 3-0 in an intense match on Tuesday night. This is the first time since 2012 that the teams have played each other.
The first half had the game 0-0, with two corner kicks awarded to each team, which were all thwarted. With no real penetration from either team, the most exciting thing to happen during first half was that a ball was accidentally kicked into the bleachers. By the second half, fans were tense and ready for the Bucs to score.
Thirteen minutes into the second half, freshman Kieran Richards (Hamilton, New Zealand) scored the first goal for the Bucs and the second of his career. Five minutes later, freshman Mathias Aannestad (Tonsberg, Norway) scored his first goal of the season.
After receiving a penalty, a Blue Hose player made the kick, which was saved by goalkeeper sophomore Josh Perryman (Sheffield, England). Seconds later, the ball attempted to go into the net, which he also saved.
“You see the guy put the ball down, and you try to have an idea of where it’s going,” said Perryman. “I think the biggest thing is just to go with your gut and instinct, don’t change your mind and fully commit.”
At the 70-minute mark, senior Bruno Andradae (Sao Paulo, Brazil) stepped in to make the third goal for the Bucs after recovering from an offseason surgery. This makes him the first upperclassman to score a goal for the Bucs this season.
“We’re a pretty young team,” said Andradae. “As leaders, seniors, juniors and sophomores who have been here we just try to show the freshmen the path.”
The Bucs outshot the Blue Hose 19-8, with 10 of their 19 shots on frame.
“I’m just really proud of the guys and with the performance tonight,” said head coach David Casper. “We need to keep pushing and keep getting better.”
The Bucs pick up their cleats again on Saturday, Sept. 21, at High Point University in South Carolina.
