MOUNT BERRY, Ga. – Carthage College bounced back from a loss on Saturday to earn a shutout victory to conclude their trip to Atlanta as the Red Men soccer team defeated Berry College 2-0 on Sunday.
"Nice to bounce back after a tough loss to Emory," said head coach
Steve Domin after the win. "We were without the services of a good portion of our men in the first half vs. Emory, so playing three solid periods after that has us satisfied with the trip. This was a tall order, playing in the heat and in unfriendly territory… Today proved we can play back to back, but still riding some important injuries and youthful mistakes. If we can get that back in order and close out sitters we will be just fine."
The win moves the Red Men to 5-3-1 on the season, while Berry falls to 3-3-0 in 2017.
Sophomore
Ivan Esquivel opened the scoring with his first goal of the season and fifth of his career as he beat Berry goalkeeper Carson Oakes in the 29
th minute for the 1-0 lead.
Berry looked to answer but Carthage's
Niko Mavrogiannis was up to the task making big save after big save to keep the Vikings off the board. Mavrogiannis made six saves as he picked up his clean sheet of the year and improved to 3-0.
With Niko turning Berry away it created the opportunity for the Red Men to extend the lead, which they did in the 74
th minute as
Jerry Patino scored his first career goal off a
Kevin Penarrieta assist to push the Red Men to a 2-0 victory.
"Ivan's goal was a real individual effort set up by
Kevin Penarrieta who earned a head ball and redirected to a streaking Esquivel… Berry had a few nice counters when we were out shape in the shape in the back, but Niko was up to the challenge."
For the match Carthage earned an 11-10 edge in shott, while trailing in shots on goal 5-6 to the Vikings.
The Red Men will play one more non-conference game before they turn their sights to defending their 2016 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin title as the Red Men travel to St. Norbert College on Wednesday, September 27
th at 7:00 p.m.
