SAINT BONIFACIUS, Minn. – The Yellowjacket men's soccer team embarked on midweek Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action Tuesday, traveling to the campus of Crown College. The Polars entered the contest with a 5-1 conference record, riding a hot offense that tends to score early and often.
UWS, however, are also riding a hot offense. The 'Jackets currently ranks fourth in all of NCAA Division III with 44 total goals scored in 11 matches this season, setting the table for an entertaining UMAC matchup.
The opening 45 minutes saw both squads with early scoring opportunities, but UWS ultimately broke the scoring with a goal at the 39th minute from
Jake Kidd (Superior, Wis./Superior). Two more goals in the second half of play helped push the 'Jackets past Crown 3-0 at Old National Bank Stadium.
Match Notes
- Kidd's goal came after getting tripped up by two Polar defenders. He took a shot on the left foot after feeds from Aaron Shartin-Folkert (Hudson, Wis./Somerset) and Kyle Massingham (Nuneaton, England/Future Pro College) that found the upper right portion of the net.
- A minute later, Orlando Fertleman (London, England/Aldenham) attempted to send UWS into the break with a two-goal lead, but Crown's goalkeeper Leo Roque made the save to halt the Yellowjacket momentum.
- After the break, physicality ensued with both teams, resulting in numerous fouls and a yellow card issued to a Polar.
- In the 64th minute of play, Kidd took a foul from Roque inside the box, allowing Josh Bellamy (High Wycombe, England/FAB Football Academy) to strike. His initial penalty kick was saved, but the deflection came right back to Bellamy, as he buried it for the second goal of the match.
- Crown nearly grabbed a penalty kick of their own off a Polar free kick, but the 'Jackets countered with a quick clear, allowing Kidd to rush down the field and fire a shot to the right corner for his second of the match.
- The Polars saw a few more scoring chances late in the match, but Yellowjacket keeper Alex Paredes (Mequon, Wis./Homestead) held his ground and thwarted any attempt he saw, as UWS emerged victorious 3-0.
- Paredes ended with five saves and collected his fifth shutout of the year, marking the 22nd shutout of his career, extending his lead as the Yellowjackets' all-time leader.
- Kidd and Nicolai Stokker (Klokkarstua, Norway/St. Hallvard) led with four total shots. Bellamy, along with Kidd, ended with two shots on goal. The Yellowjackets outshot the Polars 24-11.
- Crown's goalkeeper finished with eight saves on the evening.
- This win extends the Yellowjackets' win streak to seven consecutive matches in UMAC play.
The Yellowjackets return to UMAC play Saturday, taking on Minnesota Morris. The opening kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at the Yellowjackets' new home, Superior Choice Credit Union Stadium.
