MOC soccer wins 5-0

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on September 25, 2008 12:45 PM

• Print
• Email

MOUNT OLIVE -- Anthony Payne and Sean Keener each tallied a goal and two assists to lead regionally-ranked Mount Olive College to a 5-0, men's soccer victory over Division III Ferrum (Va.) University on Wednesday evening.

Payne and Keener assisted on each other's goals and combined on a double assist on Chris McClaugherty's goal late in the match. The contest was the first meeting between the two teams since 1991.

Prior to kickoff, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held dedicating the new 200-seat bleacher section and other improvements to the field. Ray and Chris Amon, for whom the soccer field was renamed last year, were recognized for their contributions to the Trojan soccer program.

Mount Olive (6-2-0 overall) had 20-mile per hour winds at its back in the first half and took a 2-0 halftime lead. The Trojans got on the scoreboard in the 12th minute as Adrian Daniels found Matt Wallin in the top left of the box. Wallin turned and shot from 17 yards out to give the Trojans a 1-0 lead.

The Trojans held a 10-0 shot advantage, but it remained a one-goal match until the 41st minute. Ferrum goalkeeper Ben Pittsley deflected Sean Keener's shot, but Anthony Payne put home the rebound to extend Mount Olive's lead.

Mount Olive capitalized on a misplay in the back to add a goal early in the second half. Angelo Acquah captured a loose ball and found Scott Mitchell, who got the keeper off his line. Mitchell grazed the bottom of the crossbar for his third goal in two matches and fifth of the season to extend the lead to 3-0 at the 51:05 mark.

The Trojans added a pair of goals in a span of less than three minutes apart late in the half to ice the match. After a Ferrum foul deep in its half, Payne crossed to Keener, who headed the ball in to make the score 4-0 at 85:47. With just under two minutes remaining, Keener played the ball to Payne, who found McClaugherty for an open 10-yard shot.

Mount Olive returns to action Saturday at Conference Carolinas rival Anderson (S.C.) University. Kickoff is 3 p.m.