Waldorf surges past Presentation in NSAA opener
By: Waldorf Sports Information Director
FOREST CITY – The Waldorf University men’s soccer team surged past Presentation College in a 6-1 win during Saturday’s North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) opener.
Taking command from the start, the Warriors (8-4, 1-0) notched four goals during the opening half.
“The boys played extremely well in the first half,” Waldorf coach Michael Wilson said. “We were able to control the game and connect a lot of passes to unbalance the Presentation defense.”
Waldorf junior Erik Soares recorded three points, providing a goal and an assist. Junior Riley Gibson, sophomore Cameron Saul, freshmen Edduin Rodriguez and Anthony Henvey also scored goals for the Warriors.
Yan Arruda Caires tallied three assists, tying Waldorf’s single-match school record. The sophomore midfielder from Sao Paulo, Brazil became the seventh player in school history to put together multi-assist matches. The Warriors turned in six assists, which ties for sixth among the school’s single-match records.
Nathan Cuenca delivered the lone goal for the Saints (3-10, 0-1).
Brian Shariffi stepped up while making his first career start as a goalkeeper. The senior from Ontario, California collected two saves as he faced three shots in the win.
Presentation’s Matt Richardson finished with seven saves as he worked 69 minutes, 42 seconds in net. Brandt McCall picked up a save in the final 20:18.
Striking early and often, Soares knocked in the match’s first goal in the 22nd minute off an assist from Arruda Caires.
Gibson pushed the Warriors to a two-goal advantage, scoring less than four minutes later following assists from Arruda Caires, and Soares that came on consecutive forward baseline passes on the left side.
Rodriguez found the back of the net in the 39th minute and was assisted by freshman Athos Monteiro on a 45-yard downfield pass.
Henvey drilled a goal in the 40th minute courtesy of an assist from sophomore Rodrigo Frietas.
The Saints surrendered an own goal in the 58th minute, extending Waldorf’s lead to five goals.
Cuenca scored in the 70th minute, and Mackenzie Burgoyne contributed the assist.
Saul tacked on the final goal with less than five minutes remaining in the contest. Caires assisted, setting up the score on a left-side cross pass.
The Warriors dominated possession and outshot Presentation by a 40-6 margin. Waldorf registered 15 shots on goal, while the Saints put just three shots on frame. Five of Gibson’s shots were on target, and Rodriguez accounted for four shots on goal.
It was a convincing Senior Night win for the Warriors, who honored Shariffi and fellow senior Stephen Jenkins. With the victory, Waldorf matched a school record for wins in a season since becoming a four-year program.
Returning to action next Saturday, the Warriors square off against Grace University (3-8) in a 4 p.m. nonconference matchup at Omaha, Nebraska. With Waldorf playing short-handed in the win over Presentation, everyone turned in supporting roles to guide Waldorf.
“We only had 13 players available, so it was great to see everyone step up and play very well,” Wilson said. “One thing we need to work on is having complete focus for an entire game, as we gave up another soft goal.”