Mitchell, S.D. –
The DWU men's soccer team secured their first GPAC win against the Warriors of Waldorf in stellar fashion. Juan Gomez and Colin Burke each scored their first goals of the season to help lead the offense and goalkeeper Hunter Birozy ended the match with 12 saves in the 2-0 shutout.
How It Happened –
DWU was looking for their first GPAC after coming so close in the last few games. Waldorf started the match with firing five shots in the first eight minutes, four being on goal and saved by Hunter Birozy. What looked like a Warrior controlled match, the Tigers wouldn't find their first chance to take a shot until the 28' minute, a shot by Vladislav Burkov that ended up in the Walford keeper's hands. Waldorf continued to keep pressuring the Tiger defense, but DWU stood their ground, as Birozy grabbed six total saves in the first half. As both squads looked to get on the board, DWU found themselves pushing the pace and earned a corner kick. After the ball was jockeyed around in the box, Juan Gomez would get his chance and capitalized. Gomez found the back of the net in the 39' to give DWU a 1-0 lead as the teams headed for the locker rooms at halftime.
The second half belonged to the Tigers, both offensively and defensively. Birozy and the defense smothered the Warriors, only allowing seven total shots. DWU pushed the pace after settling into their gameplan and found 11 chances to score. Waldorf pushed the tempo to knot up the score and force a draw, but were unable to find an answer for the Tigers. The offense was clicking as the Tigers earned their sixth corner kick later in the second half. Cesar Cornejo fired the corner kick to the far side of the penalty box to Colin Burke. Burke would settle the ball, take aim, and fire his shot. The ball sailed over the top of the Warrior defense and nailed the top right corner of the net to make it 2-0 in the 86' minute. This goal secured the win for the Tigers and gave DWU their first GPAC win.
Up Next for the Tigers –
DWU will be back at home again, Sunday November 15. The Tigers will host the Mount Marty Lancers in their Pink Match. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM.