Mount Vernon Nazarene University has a lot to celebrate and look forward to as the men and women soccer teams kickstarted their season by bringing the heat.
Defeating the Shawnee State University Bears (1-1-0), MVNU men's soccer team (1-0-0) clinched the win with a 6-2 score on Aug. 25. The MVNU women's team (1-0-0) played that same night, beating Siena Heights University (0-1-1) with the final scoreboard reading 4-1.
MVNU Senior Kaitlin Meade scored the first goal 26 minutes into the game with an assist from MVNU Junior Caitlin Erlandson, marking the third career goal for Meade. Five minutes later, Isabel Remar of Siena Heights kicked the ball through the woodwork to tie the game 1-1.
Marking her first collegiate goal, MVNU Freshman Savannah Zambory broke the tie with an assist from MVNU Junior Kenzie Thorne during the 43rd minute of the game.
Going into the second half of the game with the force of a 2-1 lead, the Cougar gals shut down any hope for the Saints to make a comeback after MVNU Junior Ashley Townsend scored goals back-to-back, marking her ninth and 10th goals for her collegiate career. The 5'4" midfielder scored her first goal during minute 51 with an assist from Thorne. Erlandson assisted Townsend's second goal in minute 53.
“It’s always great to start the season 1-0. Siena is a tough opponent to play every year," MVNU women's head soccer coach Sarah Maracani said in a press release. "The girls did a tremendous job, especially in the second half winning our 50-50 battles. We had some really great goals tonight on the road. I’m excited to continue to watch this team grow this year together.”
In her third season as head coach, Maracani holds a record of 21-12-7 at MVNU and 34-19-8 overall.
MVNU women ended the night with six shots, four on goal; two saves; six fouls; three corner kicks; and no offsides. Siena Heights finished the game with eight shots, four on goal; no saves; 12 fouls; two corner kicks; and 3 offsides.
In the MVNU men's game against the Shawnee State University Bears, Keon Boney secured the first goal of the game for the Cougars during minute 26. A mere four minutes later, Boney then assisted Jared Mount to bring the score to 2-0. Shawnee State's Kevin de Lange scored with five minutes left in the first half of the game.
Going back on the field after halftime with a 2-1 lead, Boney proved himself to be a driving force as he scored his second goal only six minutes into the second half of the game. Zach Bowser, an MVNU freshman, scored his first college career goal 3 minutes later.
De Langhe scored his second goal of the game and the last goal of the evening for the Bears, as Manuel Flores and Bowser each scored in the last 10 minutes of the game, which resulted in a 6-2 victory for the MVNU Cougars.
“Proud of the guys for grinding out a good win on the road," MVNU men's head coach Zach Ganzberg said. "We fought through some (early-game) nerves and were able to generate some quality opportunities in the second half that led to goals. It’s a good starting point but with plenty of refining to do in preparation for Rochester.”
Ganzberg has been the MVNU head coach for the men's team since 2017.
The MVNU men's team completed the game with 16 shots with nine on goal; four saves, all made by Joshua Dunn; 16 fouls; six corner kicks and five offsides. Shawnee State completed 15 shots with six on goal, three saves, 15 fouls, seven corner kicks and two offsides.
Heading to Rochester Hills, Mich., on Saturday, the men's team will play Rochester University at 1 p.m. MVNU's women will play Rio Grande at 7 p.m. Saturday.
