SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Yellowjacket men's soccer team opened Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action Wednesday, playing host to the Rams of North Central. The 'Jackets entered the match 1-2-2 to begin the 2024 campaign but have faced some of the toughest teams in the region, with over half the teams receiving national recognition.
This preparation certainly aided the Yellowjackets entering conference play, as seven different players found the back of the net Wednesday, downing the Rams by an 8-0 decision at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex.
Match Notes
- UW-Superior commenced scoring in the 12th minute of play, as senior Karsten Kletti (Vadnais Heights, Minn./White Bear Lake Area) took a feed from Felipe Oliveira (Belo Horizonte, Brazil/Colegio Soma) and buried his first of the season.
- Eager to notch a goal of his own, Oliveira found the back of the net at the 37th minute of action, getting past Rams goalkeeper Trystin Procyk.
- Just a minute later, Kyle Massingham (Nuneaton, England/Future Pro College) dished a pass to Freddy Watson (Wendover, England/Berkshire College of Agriculture) as he buried his third of the season.
- Not even 90 seconds ticked off the scoreboard before Watson carded his second of the match, this time seeking a pass from Josh Bellamy (High Wycombe, England/FAB Football Academy).
- At halftime the Yellowjackets took 20 total shots, opposed to North Central's four.
- UWS wasn't done, however, as three minutes into the second half of play Aaron Shartin-Folkert (Hudson, Wis./Somerset) buried the fifth 'Jacket goal. This triggered the Five Goal Free for All, as all fans in attendance received a free scoop of custard courtesy of Culver's in Superior.
- Throughout the match head coach Joe Mooney constantly turned to his bench, but entering the final 25 minutes of play, he looked at his newcomers to showcase their skills. One of those newcomers was Kyle Massingham (Nuneaton, England/Future Pro College), who fired a shot past Procyk for the second goal of his young Yellowjacket career.
- This goal ultimately gave way to a keeper change, as Peyton Carselowey manned the net for the Rams. Just a few minutes into the game, Jordan Aultman (Esko, Minn./Cloquet) took a feed from Elis James (Carmarthenshire, Wales/Ysgol Bro Dinefwr) and found the back of the net, scoring his first collegiate goal. James would pick up his first collegiate point, as well.
- With under a minute to play, Theo Figueiredo (Cuiaba, Brazil/EE Marcelina de Campos) took a shot from beyond the 18 and caught just enough net in the top left corner for the first of his career, marking the eighth Yellowjacket goal of the match.
- UWS finished with 36 total shots, 18 of which hit the mark. North Central ended with four total shots and two on target.
- Yellowjacket keeper Alex Paredes (Mequon, Wis./Homestead) made two saves in his 61 minutes of play before giving way to Patrick Sessions (Brighton, England/Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College), who saw 29 minutes in net. He would not be faced with a save opportunity.
- Oliveira and Kletti finished with four shots on the evening, with three others finishing with three shots apiece.
The Yellowjackets are back in action Saturday, traveling to Cougar Field to take on Minnesota Morris. The opening kickoff is slated for 4:30 p.m. in Morris, Minn.
