PORTSMOUTH, Ohio - The Bluefield men's soccer team used three first half goals to defeat Shawnee State 4-2 in Portsmouth, Ohio, Tuesday night.
The Rams got on the board immediately after the opening whistle with a first minute goal.
Marcel Heller received the ball at the corner of the 18-yard box, brought it across his body and laid it off for
Joao Delgado. Delgado hit it first time at the top of the box to make it 1-0 Rams.
Just 12 minutes later, Bluefield doubled their lead on the corner kick.
Angelo Willi hit a piercing ball into the box as
Duarte Ferreira smashed the header home to make it 2-0.
Bluefield continued to dominate in the first half, as they were able to get the third goal in the 30th minute.
Salvatore Viola beat his defender down the left flank, cut him back and found Delgado who slipped in behind the back line to put the tap-in for the goal.
The Rams went into the break up 3-0, with a shot advantage of 13-1.
Coach Neidig made nine changes to start the second half, but a strong beginning to the half by Shawnee allowed them to cut the lead to make it 3-2 with 20 minutes remaining in the match.
Bluefield was able to respond and put the game away to make it 4-2. Delgado completed the hat trick on the night when he scored in the 81st minute.
The Rams won their fourth road game and extend their unblemished record to 9-0-0 on the season, a program best.
Bluefield will look ahead to a tough weekend of two Top-25 matchups at home at the East River Soccer Complex.
First up is AAC foe, Tennessee Wesleyan, at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night. They will then turnaround and play #8-ranked Georgia Gwinnett on Sunday at 1pm.
