GREENSBORO, N.C. – In a mid-week conference showdown, Averett University men's soccer took its chances when it mattered most, and willed its way to a 2-0 away win at Guilford College on Wednesday night.
Averett (4-4-4, 2-2-1 ODAC) took the early lead on the away turf, with
Alvaro Alvarez del Rio continuing his heroics from the previous ODAC contest by setting up a roaming
Will Davis. The junior then took a swift touch, and punched the ball away for the opening score in the 13th minute.
The Cougars played sound defense across the half, helped by two saves from netminder
Anibal Lopez. Averett tied Guilford (3-9-2, 0-4-1 ODAC) in shots on goal through 45 minutes, with each side knotting two apiece.
The Quakers attempted to flip the script throughout the second period, knocking on the Cougars' doorstep repeatedly, forcing 13 shots alone, but to no avail. Two-time conference defensive player of the week Lopez stopped five more shots on the bounce, thwarting Guilford at nearly every possession the home side had.
Averett tacked on a late goal to then seal the team's first away ODAC win of the year, coming from none other than midfielder/forward
Nicholas Breen. The senior scored his first ever goal in an Averett uniform, finding himself open in the penalty box after
Hudson Bradley sent in a cross to knock the ball through in the 85th minute.
Lopez finished the night with seven saves, managing his sixth shutout of the season. Davis led the team in shots with two.
Festivities are on the horizon next for the Cougars, hosting Randolph College on Saturday morning to begin Homecoming Weekend. Kickoff for the ODAC contest is set for 11:30 a.m.
