Early Goals Pace CU in Win over WPC
PORTLAND, Ore.—Behind two goals in the first nine minutes, Concordia University earned its third win of the season with a 3-0 home victory against Warner Pacific College in Cascade Collegiate Conference men’s soccer action at The Yard.
The Cavaliers moved to 3-2-0 on the season, while Warner Pacific dropped to 0-4-0.
Bryan Iotte (Auburn, Wash.) sparked the Concordia offense with a scoring strike in the third minute of play with a 15-yard shot over Warner Pacific keeper Brian Kelly’s head. Iotte’s opportunity sprang from a long cross through the middle of the pitch from the foot of fellow Riverside High School product David Proud (Auburn, Wash).
Fresh off of the opening goal, Kossivi Alokpovi (Glendale, Ariz.) stretched the gap to two scores in the 9th minute after a solo effort found the sophomore forward in the opponent’s box where he jacked a low-trajectory shot into the net.
“In the changing room before the game, you talk about things like being opportunistic early,” Concordia head coach Dan Birkey said. “When you get those goals you have to be pleased because the guys have put actions behind the talk.”
With another assist credited to Proud, Tyler Camp (Vancouver, Wash.) rounded out the day’s scoring with a one-time boot into the right side of the goal after playing a rebound off of the post to end the scoring at 3-0.
Garrett Staples (Eugene, Ore.) held onto the shutout for the Cavaliers, playing all 90 minutes in front of the net, capturing one save while facing eight shots.
After zero corner kicks in the first period to Warner Pacific’s one, the Cavaliers forced five corners in the second to end with a 5-3 advantage in the category. The Cavs were charged with 16 fouls on the day against nine for the Knights.
“To their credit, Warner Pacific was throwing everything forward to prevent the clean sheet,” Birkey said. “Managing their determination and strong attack, we had to muscle through the second period. Hard work had to be done in the second half, but not just working hard; working hard smartly.”
The Cavs continue conference action with a road match at Evergreen State in Olympia, Wash, on Sept. 13. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.