Warriors shut down V-Hawks
By: Waldorf Sports Information Director
FOREST CITY – The Waldorf University men’s soccer team remains in the hunt for the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) regular-season title after shutting down Viterbo University with a 4-0 victory during Wednesday’s conference matchup.
“It was a great team win,” Waldorf coach Michael Wilson said. “Everyone played well and worked hard to get a big win against a very aggressive Viterbo team.”
Junior Jean Bonnin, sophomore Cameron Saul, freshmen Athos Monteiro and Anthony Henvey each delivered goals for the Warriors (11-4-1, 2-0-1). Senior Cristian Alvarez and sophomore Rodrigo Frietas provided assists.
Bonnin and sophomore Yan Arruda Caires each registered a pair of shots on goal, while the Warriors received shots on target from Saul, Monteiro, Henvey, Frietas, juniors Riley Gibson, Erik Soares and freshman Edduin Rodriguez.
Aaron Wagner produced two shots on frame for the V-Hawks (4-9, 1-2), and Jared Ewings contributed a shot on goal. Jake Adams, Yoshi Kogizov and Sam Renstrom each tallied shots.
Humberto Figueroa collected three saves and compiled his sixth shutout of the season. At six career shutouts, the sophomore from Santa Maria, California tied 2014 graduate Alejandro Olmos for the school record.
Viterbo’s Ben Kellner rejected seven of the 11 shots he faced.
The Warriors outshot the V-Hawks by a 22-6 margin.
Bonnin put Waldorf on the board 34 minutes into the first half after capitalizing off a right-side cross pass from Frietas.
The Warriors entered halftime with a 1-0 lead and an 8-3 shot advantage. Waldorf poured on the shots in the second half, outshooting the V-Hawks by a 14-3 margin.
Saul gave the Warriors a two-goal advantage during the 51st minute after connecting for a goal from the 25-yard line. During the 57th minute, Henvey took a pass from Alvarez and fired a stripe that found the back of the net. Alvarez took a free kick during the 63rd minute, which was deflected by Viterbo’s defense. Monteiro came up with the recovery and delivered a score.
The Warriors followed up last Saturday’s 1-1 tie against the University of Jamestown (7-8-2, 1-1-1) with strong execution against Viterbo.
“It was great to see the boys respond so well after a disappointing tie against Jamestown,” Wilson said.
Waldorf has played to a high level on a consistent basis throughout the season, breaking the double-digit win barrier for the first time since becoming a four-year program. The Warriors look to hit their stride as postseason play approaches.
“This team has developed so well this year and is peaking at the right time,” Wilson said. “If we stay focused and play to our level for the full 90 minutes, then I think we will be happy with the score line on Saturday.”
Waldorf can lock up the NSAA regular-season crown by capturing a win against Bellevue University (8-6-2, 3-0) during this Saturday’s matchup at 2:30 p.m. in Bellevue, Nebraska. Bellevue can take the regular-season title with a win or a tie against the Warriors.
“One of our goals this year is to win the conference,” Wilson said. “We have given ourselves a chance to do that against a good Bellevue team on Saturday.”