SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team opened their first trip of the year with a 1-0 victory over Regis on Thursday afternoon thanks to a brilliant goal from
Carter Gay and
Pierluca Carnovale's second-consecutive shutout.
Gay broke a scoreless tie in the 16th minute with a magnificent goal. SPU had a corner kick that bounced back to
Connor Tollan, who originally took the corner. Tollan sent it toward the top of the 18-yard box. Gay ripped a hip-high screamer into the top left corner of the net.
Gay's goal will be one he remembers forever. It's his first goal with SPU and proved to be the game-winner in Thursday's match.
"Carter was awesome today and came up big with that goal," Head Coach
Kevin Sakuda said. "Your first collegiate goal is always special, but this is just the first of what will be many memorable moments for him in college."
SPU controlled the game throughout the 90 minutes of play. They finished the game with 13 total shots, eight of which were on goal. Tollan threatened often with four shots, two of which were on frame.
Diego Pena-Salgado,
Raymundo Mendez,
Joseph Van Horn, and
Christopher Soto all sent shots on goal.
Carnovale continues to be excellent for the Falcons. The graduate transfer from Willamette picked up his second straight clean sheet, and his third in five games with the Falcons. Carnovale faced 10 shots on Thursday and made four saves in 90 minutes between the posts.
"I'm proud of the group today," Sakuda said. "It was truly a team effort. Getting another clean sheet was massive. The guys up top were willing to run and press, setting the tone for everyone behind them. The leadership of Pierluca and Evan in the back over the last couple of games has been fantastic. That was a big win over a very good team."
It was a happy birthday for Van Horn and
Jackson Goode, who celebrated in style with a Falcons win.
The Falcons play RV Westminster on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. PST in Salt Lake City, Utah at Dumke Field.
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