ST. PAUL, Minn. - The University of Northwestern Men's Soccer team picked up its first UMAC win of the season in dominant fashion on Saturday, defeating Martin Luther 9-0 at Reynolds Field.
It didn't take long for the Eagles to set the tone. Just 60 seconds into the match, Luis Villalobos (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) slipped a pass to Jay'ce Jones (Marina del Rey, Calif./Palisades Charter), who took a touch inside the box before burying his first career goal in a Northwestern uniform. In the 8th minute, Jared Mojardin (Denver, Colo./Northeast Early College) doubled the lead with a long-distance strike from 25 yards out that bounced off the keeper and into the net. Martin Luther nearly pulled one back moments later, but Hayden DeAnnuntis (Ferndale, Wash./Ferndale) blocked the first attempt before Braeden Morrow (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) cleared the rebound off the goal line to preserve the 2-0 advantage.
Jones struck again in the 13th minute, this time off a precise long ball from Morrow. The sophomore forward calmly dribbled through traffic and slid his shot past the diving Knights keeper. Jones then turned provider in the 23rd minute. Jones controlled the ball on the sideline, sizing up the space in the attacking third. He passed to Simeon Friesen (Mounds View, Minn./Homeschool), who snuck a clever flick back to Jones, who then crossed the ball to Curtis Tinjum (Wausau, Wis./Wausau West). Tinjum converted the shot for the fourth goal of the half.
Northwestern closed the first 45 minute with two quick goals in the final three minutes. Morrow received a pass from David Kobielush (Chaska, Minn./Southwest Christian) at the top of the box before curving in a rocket to the bottom right corner of the goal. Koielush had his name called as he scored the second of the two final-minute goals. The Eagles depossessed the knights in the back field after a free kick, and Charlie Van Wyk (Afton, Minn./New Life Academy) dribbled up the middle of the field, and hit Kobeilush in stride, who found the back of the net for his first collegiate goal as well.
The Eagles' offensive firepower continued after the break. Friesen, the team's leading scorer, added a goal in the 54th minute off an assist from Villalobos. Jones completed his hat trick just two minutes later, finishing calmly after a well-placed ball from Mojardin. Mojardin capped the scoring in the 63rd minute with his second strike from distance. His goal was nearly identical to his earlier goal, only this time, the keeper could not get a glove on the perfectly placed shot.
Northwestern closed out the match with a commanding 9-0 win, finishing with 68% possession while outshooting the Knights 32-6 and 21-1 on goal. Jones led the way with three goals and an assist on four shots in just 68 minutes of play. Mojardin tallied a brace and an assist, while Tinjum, Morrow, Friesen, and Kobielush each added goals. Defensively, the Eagles allowed just one shot on frame as DeAnnuntis made one save in 73 minutes before Logan Mooney (Loves Park, Ill./Belvidere North) closed out the final 17 minutes to complete the shutout.
The Eagles will return to action on Tuesday, October 1, traveling to Morris, Minnesota, to take on the University of Minnesota-Morris at 2:00 PM.
