Written by: Colby Roach, Sports Editor
DAYTON, Tenn. – Bryan College Men’s soccer dominated University of Pikeville (Ky.) 4-1 on Wednesday after the game was postponed due to heavy rains on Tuesday.
Bryan looking to get some momentum going after coming off a two-game loss, decided to sit some of normal starters.
“We are beginning to adapt better to our new formation as the games come on,” said freshman Lewis Perkins. “I believe that last night we had a lot more to give and that we may have got comfortable.”
Bryan took control of the game early in the first half as Lewis Perkins (FR.) scored three goals, Keith Lyons (JR.) and Daniel Vonthin (SR.) respectively.
Perkins netted his first career goal after the ball was deflected off the back of Jonathan Ricketts (SO.), where Perkins chipped it into the top right corner of the net at the 28 minute mark of the first half.
“It feels great to get my first career goal at Bryan especially in my 4th game as a freshman,” said Perkins.
Only six minutes later, Bryan added another goal from Lyons. Joao Paulo and Dino Jones setup the goal after finding Lyons open near the goal. Lyons, instead of using his dribbling skills, took the shot immediately and secured his second goal of the season.
The third goal for the Lions was added at the 40th minute mark of the first half after Charlie Clarke’s shot deflected off the keeper, where Daniel Vonthin was waiting for the second-chance shot. This was Vonthin’s first goal of the season and his second of his career.
The University of Pikeville Bears determined to not get shut out netted their only goal of the game at the 20-minute mark of the second half.
The goal was setup by a free kick from 20 yards out, where Max Isneberg fired a perfect shot to the top part of the net just slipping past Alejandro Toro’s hands to bring the score to 3-1.
Angel Santiago (SO.) secured his first goal of his career at the 84 minute to round out the scoring for the Lions and gave them the 4-1 victory.
“When times of pressure come it’s reassuring when you have good support from coaches, teammates and students who are watching on,” said Perkins. “Especially here at Bryan the community and family feeling is great for raising team spirit.”
“If we want to continue to take our program to places we haven’t been while enjoying the process; we have to be willing to sacrifice, work our hardest, and be a family. You do not stumble upon growth or success; you plan, prepare, and execute and that’s what we are working on.”
After the game Coach Drew Courtney talked about continuing the teams recent success.
