MOUNT VERNON – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men’s soccer team overpowered Defiance College for its first win of the season and pulled out a draw against Campbell University three days later.

MVNU faced the Yellow Jackets on Sept. 4. They dominated the match with a season-high four goals. It was the Cougars’ first win after starting the 2024 season with three draws. The draw against Campbell University brought the Cougars to 1-0-4.

Aaron Jolly scored the first goal against the Tigers at 26:55 in the first period, with an assist by Zack Bowser. At 40:44 in the game, Daniel Martinez scored the first of his two goals in the game, with an assist by Reid Vance. Martinez tallied his second goal in the second at 49:45 in the game with Jolly making the assist. The final score came at 69:48 in the second, an unassisted goal by Bowser.

The Cougars dominated the Yellow Jackets in total shots, 26-4, and led in shots on goal by a 12-3 advantage.

Defiance made eight saves. MVNU made three, all credited to Brayden Pierson, who started in goal.

In the week’s second match, the Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's soccer team scored two unanswered goals in the first period. They couldn’t hold off the Campbellsville University Tigers’ attack to tie the game in their match on Sept. 7.

The match ended in a draw, marking MVNU's fourth of the season. The Tigers record moved to 2-1-2.

Zack Bowser and Daniel Martinez made unassisted goals in the first period.

Campbell University’s Nicolo Lanari made an unassisted goal in the second period, followed by teammate Harry Freeman’s goal with an assist by Malte Ekman.

Campbellsville held a 15-6 advantage in total shots and led in shots on goal, 5-4.

Both Campbellsville and MVNU recorded three saves during the match. Julius Blumenauer led the Cougars with three saves in goal.

The men's soccer team returns home for a match against Great Lakes Christian College on Wednesday, Sept. 11, with kickoff at 4 p.m. at CH4 Stadium.