Wilmington Wilts vs. Potent Pioneers

Forty-five seconds was all it took for the no. 8-ranked men’s soccer team to show its superiority against Wilmington University on Saturday, Oct. 1, when senior midfielder Alex Hailes connected with sophomore midfielder Charlie Ledula for one of the fastest goals in Pioneer history.

The opening 45 seconds was a preview of what was to come, as the Pioneers routed Wilmington on their way to another shutout victory, 4-0. Playing as a striker, senior back Joey Forgaard provided the tools necessary for the second goal when he headed a pass from junior midfielder Harry Pearse into the mesh.

Although the team was up two goals, the Pioneers didn’t let up and added two more. Ledula, who scored the opening goal, notched another tally in the 23rd minute, and provided the assist 15 minutes later on a goal by Pearse.

The match was decided early on as evidence by the shots on goal in the first half, which favored the Pioneers by a wide margin. (Nearly half of the Pioneers shots were converted for goals in the first 45 minutes). The two-headed monster in goal of seniors, Jesper Malmstrom and Brian McPartland, held the opposition scoreless for the sixth time in the last seven matches.