Waldorf tops Spires in fourth straight victory
By: Waldorf Sports Information Director
LEAVENWORTH, Kansas – The Waldorf University men’s soccer team topped the University of St. Mary in a 4-3 decision on Friday for its fourth straight victory.
Four Warriors (6-3) found the back of the net in their win over the Spires (3-4). Waldorf put together its first winning streak since the 2013 season. Senior Cristian Alvarez, juniors Jean Bonnin, Omar Aguilar and freshman Jacob Harris each provided goals for Waldorf. Alvarez leads the Warriors with five goals on the season. Bonnin and junior Robert Serrano each contributed an assist.
Alvarez and Harris each delivered a pair of shots on goal. The Warriors also received shots on target from Serrano, Bonnin, Aguilar and junior Erik Soares.
Tylor Mensik, Sam Garcia and Francisco Sanchez scored goals for the Spires while Danny Bravo added an assist.
Freshman Kenolson Collin made his first start in goal and saved three of six shots for the Warriors.
Nic Lee served as the St. Mary goalkeeper for the first 78 minutes, 19 seconds and recorded four saves against eight shots. Enrique Gonzalez closed out the final 11:41 of the match in goal.
Waldorf overcame a shortage in numbers by pulling off the win with a 15-man travel roster.
“The men showed a lot of character,” Waldorf coach Michael Wilson said. “I thought we created a lot of chances and controlled most of the game.”
Bonnin put the Warriors on the board three minutes into the contest when he put a pass from Serrano in the back of the net.
Mensik capitalized on a penalty-kick opportunity during the 13th minute to tie the game at 1-all.
During the 34th minute, Garcia scored off a pass from Bravo to give the Spires a 2-1 lead. St. Mary would carry the lead into halftime. The Spires took advantage of a normally strong Waldorf defense that entered Friday’s contest allowing 1.5 goals per match.
“We made a few schoolboy errors that resulted in easy goals being scored against us,” Wilson said. “We will continue to work hard on our defensive game.”
The Warriors were quick to even the score as Harris turned in an equalizer 47 minutes into the match. Alvarez connected for a goal during the 61st minute to give Waldorf a 3-2 lead. The lead lasted for just 56 seconds as Sanchez knotted the game at 3-all during the 62nd minute.
Aguilar delivered the game-winning goal during the 75th minute off a pass by Bonnin.
Waldorf takes on NCAA Division III’s Iowa Wesleyan University (1-6-1) for a Tuesday 3 p.m. matchup in Mount Pleasant.
“Overall, I’m happy with the win and thought we played some great soccer in moments,” Wilson said. “We will look to recover, refocus and get another win next week.”