Men’s soccer beats Anderson, 4-0, in season-opener

Behind two goals and two assists by freshman Jared Wilson and two goals by freshman Esteban Russell, the men’s soccer team defeated Anderson (Ind.) University today in its season-opener at the AU Soccer Complex in Anderson.

Box Score

Team Stats

Photo by Michele Bradley of Shamrock Photography
Photo by Michele Bradley of Shamrock Photography
September 1, 2011

ANDERSON, Ind. – Behind two goals and two assists by freshman Jared Wilson (Lansing/Everett) and two goals by freshman Esteban Russell (DeWitt), the Olivet College men's soccer team defeated Anderson (Ind.) University today in its season-opener at the AU Soccer Complex in Anderson.

Olivet got on the scoreboard first in the 19th minute. Sophomore Adam Wright (South End, England/ Walled Lake Western) was streaking down the left side of the field where he found Wilson in the middle of the box. Wilson slipped the ball behind the defense and to Russell, who dribbled a couple times and sent a shot into the goal.

The Comets scored 45 seconds later. Off the kickoff, the Ravens dumped the ball into Olivet's offensive end. Junior Matt Garza (Saline) played the ball up to Wilson, who beat the keeper with a low shot to the near corner of the goal.

The score stayed 2-0 at halftime. The Comets added to their lead at the 53:40 mark. Sophomore Fred Smyser (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern) battled to get the ball in the middle of the field and passed it up to Wilson, who took a touch to get free and scored on a low shot to the far post.

Olivet closed the scoring when Wilson was out wide and passed the ball to Russell. He played his defender 1 vs. 1 and blasted a shot from 20 yards out into the goal.

Freshmen Alex Lang (West Bloomfield/Detroit Catholic Central) and Matt Van Houten (Northville) combined for the shutout in their collegiate debut.

"This win was a really good and deserving result against a good team," said Head Coach Chad Wiseman. "Anderson was picked second in its conference preseason poll. I saw a lot of nice things from our players. We were able to play all 20 guys who made the trip. Jared and Esteban had nice debuts in a Comet uniform, and our two freshmen keepers also did a great job in their first game."

The Comets will continue their non-conference schedule next Tuesday, Sept. 6, when they make the trip to play Elmhurst (Ill.) College at 5 p.m. CT/6 p.m. ET. Olivet will play its home-opener Thursday, Sept. 8, against Spring Arbor University at 5 p.m.

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