Box Score

BLUEFIELD, Va. – The Rams made the most of limited opportunities in their Appalachian Athletic Conference opener on Wednesday evening, taking the 3-0 win over St. Andrews University in men's soccer action at the East River Soccer Complex.
 
St. Andrews (2-1, 0-1 AAC) held a decided 19-8 advantage in shots, but Bluefield (3-1, 1-0 AAC) put six of its eight shots on frame while the Knights put just seven of their attempts on goal.
 
Jefferson Watson (2-1) logged his second-straight shutout and led the Rams to their third-straight clean sheet as the team opened AAC play with a win.
 
The Knights controlled momentum early, outshooting the Rams 5-1 in the first 25 minutes of play. The visitors had several close calls, including a shot that went off the crossbar, but Watson stood steady between the pipes.
 
As the half began to wind down, the Knights were whistled for a foul just inside midfield to give the Rams a chance at a set play. Dean Johnson sent the ball into the middle of the box, where Matthew Carragher provided a flick header past SAU's keeper with 1:46 remaining in the half.
 
St. Andrews looked to bounce back in the second half and quickly fired a shot and also added a corner opportunity. But, shortly after the corner, the Rams went the other way to up the score to 2-0.
 
Michael Callaghan carried the ball through midfield and served a pass to the left wing for Jacob Mader. The senior gathered the ball and took a couple quick touches before blasting a shot to the far post with his left foot for a 2-0 Rams edge in the 52^nd minute.
 
The Knights continued to pressure the Rams' defense, but BC stood its ground. Bluefield held off St. Andrews in a variety of set plays, including three more corner kicks in the half and several free kicks just outside the box.
 
While St. Andrews began to push with time winding down, the Rams tacked on one more goal to put the game out of doubt.
 
Matt Plucinski picked off a defender's backfield pass in the 85^th minute and charged down the right side. Plucinski had options to his left, but waited for the keeper to draw out then sent it to the far post for a 3-0 lead. The goal was redemption for Plucinski, who had a goal disallowed earlier in the half for being offside.
 
Watson closed the night with seven saves, while Leandro Custodio had three saves in the loss for St. Andrews.
 
Bluefield was called for 13 fouls to 10 for the visitors, but St. Andrews was also tagged with three yellow cards.
 
The Rams continue AAC play next Tuesday, hosting Point University as the second part of a 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. doubleheader.