DANVILLE, Va. - Averett University men's soccer took their first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) win of the season in dominant fashion, highlighted by a six-goal second half to down visiting Guilford College, 7-2 on Wednesday night.
The Cougars' seven scores signified their first time doing so in over 11 years, the last coming against William Peace on Sept. 22, 2013.
At a 2-1 deficit heading into the final frame of action, Averett (4-5-6, 1-4-3 ODAC), stormed back with six unanswered scores to take a crucial victory, as the Cougars continue to fight for playoff contention in the conference.
Averett's second-half march started immediately, as
Oliver Kousholt looped in a cross to a jumping
Max Gaudry, heading the ball through to level the game at 2-2, less than a minute into the period.
Pinpoint passing was the highlight of the Cougars' third score. Beginning with
Daniel Sierra finding an open Gaudry down the left sidelines, he found an open
Daniel Starr down the penalty box, sneaking past the Guilford (3-11-1, 0-8-1 ODAC) backline, who knocked his shot through to elevate Averett into the lead in the 52nd minute.
Defender
Jaime Vazquez Sanjurjo found his way onto the scoreboard in the 54th minute. After winning possession near midfield, the sophomore took advantage of open space, and launched a low shot from beyond 25 yards to double Averett's lead.
Starr and Gaudry linked up once more for the Cougars' fourth score of the second half, as the freshman tallied his second goal of the game in the 58th minute. On a pass from Starr, Gaudry dribbled his way past the defender, and cleverly finished in the bottom left corner.
Gaudry completed his hat trick just three minutes later, with help from
Jonthomas Buckley. The junior broke away, and found the freshman open for a clean finish into the netting. His three goals mark a first for a player this season, and also the first hat trick for an Averett men's soccer player since 2017, when David Cooperman netted three at Greensboro on Sept. 22.
Fernando Pintos achieved a rare feat, scoring directly from the corner to cap off the night for the Cougars with his first collegiate goal with eight minutes before the final whistle.
Guilford took the initial lead in the 16th minute, with Riley Copeland dribbling his way through the Averett defensive zone, and sent a strike from 20 yards out to put the visitors ahead, 1-0.
Free kick opportunities were capitalized on once more, this time by the visiting Quakers. A header from Jake Carter found its way inside the penalty box to Gabe Douglass, who slotted the ball through to retake the lead, 2-1 in the 44th minute.
The Cougars got their best chance of the half five minutes later. With no hesitation, free kick specialist Kousholt tied the game with a looping left-footed strike into the top corner, knotting the game at one apiece.
Averett achieved their fourth-straight game with 10 or more shots, with 19 tonight, including an efficient 15 shots on goal.
Tyler Yates added to his save tally on the year with two versus the Quakers.
The Cougars head to Hampden-Sydney College next on Saturday, Oct. 26, with a contest against the Tigers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
