HISTORY! Midway (Ky.) Men's Soccer earns first program victory
(By Midway Sports Information).
CINCINNATI – After making history last Saturday by playing in their first-ever game as a program, the Midway men's soccer took to the pitch on Tuesday in search of their first program win.
The Eagles (1-1, 1-1 RSC) did just that after they notched a 3-0 shutout victory over Cincinnati Christian (Ohio) to earn their first program victory. Midway took a 2-0 lead at intermission over the Eagles (2-1, 0-1 RSC) and expanded the lead to its final score with a goal in the second half.
"I'm really proud of the guy's effort tonight, they came out and executed the game plan and got the win," said head coach Tim Wolz. "This is a great first win as well as an important conference victory. It was a great team effort from everyone."
Midway nearly scored just minutes into the game when senior captain, Joe Jessop (Lincoln, England) had a shot on goal, but the iron was unkind as the ball bounced off the crossbar.
Jessop, however, wouldn't be denied a second time in the 18th minute. Jessop took a free kick from about 30 yards out and bent it around the wall and slid it past the keeper and into the back of the net for the first goal in the history of the Midway men's soccer program.
"The team thought that it was a big deal that our first-ever goal came from Joe Jessop, our senior captain, it was like something you would write in a fairy tale," noted Wolz.
Midway would strike again 14 minutes later in the 32nd minute when this time junior, Max Bristow (Exeter, England) found the back of the net. Bristow struck the ball from the end line that deflected off a CCU defender and over the keeper's head and into the back of the net.
With goals from Jessop and Bristow in the opening frame, Midway took a 2-0 lead to the locker room. The Eagles added to their lead early in the second half.
Four minutes after halftime, the Eagles were back at it. This time it was Brad Wilson (Doncaster, England) with an assist to Harry Kirwan (Lincoln, England). The ball was played into the box on a free kick and Kirwan headed it to Wilson who made a great slide volley to beat the keeper giving Midway a 3-0 advantage.
Cincinnati Christian had chances to score with 10 shots, but the Midway defense as well as the duo of Christian Neira (Santiago, Chile) and Colby Bicksler (Elkton, Ky.) in goal solidified the shutout. Neira picked up the win and collected three saves, while Bicksler played the final seven minutes in goal.
Midway on the other hand, collected 11 shots, with six of those on frame. The trio of Wilson, Jessop and Bristow collected three each for nine of the team's 11 shots.
The Eagles will look to make it two-in-a-row when they take on Marian (Ind.) this Saturday in their home opener at 4:30 p.m. ET at the Midway Soccer Field.