Zumbro, Gonzalez Lead Golden Eagles over Dordt, 5-1
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa (August 31, 2013) -- Junior midfielder Martin Gonzalez capped off a strong weekend by netting a pair of goals and sophomore forward Zeke Zumbro notched his first collegiate markers en route to the Golden Eagles' dismantling of Dordt (Iowa) on Saturday afternoon in Sioux City on day two of the Pizza Ranch Classic.
Gonzalez opened the scoring in the ninth minute before adding his second of the game just six minutes later, which turned out to be the game-winner for John Brown (2-1-0). Zumbro's markers bookended JBU's fourth goal, netted by senior midfield Misha Kolemasov in the 72nd minute.
"We started slow again today, but the game changed early," said head coach Scott Marksberry of the the Golden Eagle effort. "The boys worked hard for long stretches of the game and we were able to create some dangerous chances during those stretches. We still have a lot to learn about ourselves, but I am proud of the way we handled the heat and the quick turnaround to leave the tournament with two wins.
"We'll recover and work hard this week to prepare for our tournament."
John Brown did start out the contest on its heels, allowing the Defenders (0-2-0) the first three shots on goal in the contest. All within the first five minutes, Dordt rang a shot off the post and another forced senior keeper Pablo Garcia to make his only save of the game.
After the opening barrage, John Brown responded quickly, as it did most the afternoon, with a counterattack that earned Gonzalez his first goal of the match in the ninth minute. Sophomore forward Zari Prescod earned his first point on the season with an assist on the play.
The Golden Eagles weren't done scoring, however, as only six minutes later, Gonzalez found the back of the net again, the third time in the last two matches, off a cross from sophomore midfielder Eli Simonsen, pushing JBU's lead to two.
In the 27th minute, JBU pushed its lead to three when Zumbro notched his first collegiate goal after launching a floating shot to the top corner. After playing his freshman campaign on defense, Zumbro has found new life in the Golden Eagle offense, capturing another goal in the 86th minute of play.
Kolemasov turned in the fourth strike for John Brown as he took a Galen Bahadoorsingh pass in an unorthadox manner, sliding towards the ball and powering it into the upper 90 in the 72nd minute.
JBU fired 16 shots on goal, forcing both Dordt netminders into constant frustration. The Defenders scored their lone goal in the 71st minute when Brady Van Holland converted a penalty kick to steal Garcia's shutout bid. The goal marked the second time in three games that John Brown has allowed a penalty kick in the second half. Both have been converted.
Six Golden Eagles found the scoresheet in John Brown's most lopsided win since a 5-0 win at Lubbock Christian on Oct. 13, 2012.
Garcia evens his record to 1-1-0 on the season, recoding the lone save in the winning effort.
The Golden Eagles will now head back to Siloam Springs to prepare for its own tournament, the Quality Inn Classic, to be played at Alumni Field on Sept. 6-7. John Brown will face Georgia Gwinnett and Concordia (Neb.) over the weekend.
