MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Yellowjacket men's soccer team opened Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play against the Rams of North Central. Prior to today's match, the 'Jackets only found the net twice in its first three regular season matches.
That all would change Wednesday as five different players registered their first goal on the season, defeating North Central by a 5-1 decision at Elliot Park Field.
Junior midfielder
Harry Ambler (Reading, England/Little Heath School) started the party for the Yellowjackets, firing a shot in the 11th minute of play that broke Rams goalkeeper Jerad Buse.
Phillip Eriksen (Skjetten, Norway/Lorenskog) was credited with an assist.
In the 42nd minute,
Gavin Watkinson (Lakeville, Minn./Farmington Area) would give a feed to junior
Finley Purnell (Northampton, England/Southam College), notching his first tally of the year to give the 'Jackets a 2-0 lead right before halftime.
Halftime would not slow down the Yellowjackets' momentum, as
Alex Hanson (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) scored a goal of his own just 94 seconds into the second half, extending its lead to 3-0.
Three minutes later North Central would tally their first of the match, as Anthony Medina fired a shot top shelf to keep the Rams within arm's reach.
That would be all for the Rams, however, as the 'Jackets would score two more goals courtesy of
Freddy Watson (Wendover, England/Berkshire College of Agriculture) at the 55th minute and
Drake Schramm (Cloquet, Minn./Esko) in the 77th minute.
Mackie Ringrose (Ewhurst, England/St. Peter's Catholic School) assisted on Watson's tally, while
Joel Thomas (Cardiff, Wales/Islwyn) assisted on both goals.
UW-Superior exploded on the pitch this afternoon, firing 34 total shots with 20 on target. North Central finished with 13 total shots and four shots-on-goal. Yellowjacket goalkeeper
Alex Paredes (Mequon, Wis./Homestead) added three saves on four shots on goal, while Buse stopped 15 on 20 shots on target.
The Yellowjackets (1-1-2, 1-0-0) continue conference play Saturday as they travel to play Minnesota Morris. Kickoff at Cougar Field is set for 2 p.m.
