Holt Continues Shutout Streak, Men’s Soccer Dominates in 3-0 Victory
CLAREMORE, Okla. (September 16, 2014) -- Freshman netminder Adam Holt’s shutout streak continued this evening past 200 minutes and senior striker Ryan Duncan netted his third goal of the season in the first half to give the Golden Eagles (3-3-0) a 3-0 win at NCAA II Rogers State (Okla.) at Soldier Field.
Holt’s clean-sheet streak now stands at 247:50 as he was only called upon once tonight to make a save. The John Brown defense, led by the defensive quartet of Daniel Marulanda, Will Simonds, Logan Hellinghausen and Douglas Oliveira, allowed the Hillcats to register 11 shots, but only one Holt’s way.
After an 0-3-0 start to the season, JBU has won three matches in a row, knocking off Ozarks (Ark.), 2-1, No. 5 Oklahoma Wesleyan, 1-0, and now tonight’s 3-0 drubbing of RSU.
John Brown will now rest until Saturday (Sept. 20) when it hosts No.13 Benedictine (Kan.) at Alumni Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Duncan tallied the game-winning goal in the 35th minute when sophomore forward Marco Cardona chipped a pass up the middle. A streaking Duncan knocked the ball over a defender at the top of the box before realizing RSU keeper, Cody Gammill, was racing out to meet him. Duncan then volleyed the ball over Gammill, just squeaking the shot below the crossbar for a 1-0 John Brown lead.
JBU held a 9-4 shooting advantage in the first half, but went on to a 10-7 margin in the second half, netting the insurance goal and a third.
Junior defender Will Simonds struck in the 59th minute, nearly twice, to pad John Brown’s lead to two. On junior forward Zeke Zumbro’s first corner kick attempt, Simonds redirected a strong header destined to fall below the crossbar, however, Gammill was up to the task, knocking the shot over the iron. On the second attempt, Zumbro’s play in found freshman midfielder Collin Smith at the top of the 18, who unleashed a shot towards Gammill and into a crowd of players. In the mix, Simonds managed to redirect the shot to the right post, netting his first collegiate goal. Zumbro and Smith each added assists.
With the Golden Eagles dominating time of possession, JBU struck a final time in the 85th minute. Senior forward Cory Cole craftily left a ball behind him for a pickup by an oncoming Eli Simonsen at the top of the box. The junior midifielder carried it past a defender and placed a left-footed shot to the far right post.
Senior forward Martin Gonzalez led John Brown with five shots, three on target. Simonsen and Cardona each added a trio of shots while Duncan and Simonds each chipped in with a pair. Necas Collins and Dylan Beaird each recorded two shots for RSU in the loss. Gammill took the defeat in net for the Hillcats, recording six saves in the effort.
“We started the match a bit flat,” admitted head coach Scott Marksberry. “RSU really had the run of the first 20 minutes. At the midway point of the first half, we really started to settle in and then we got stronger and stronger as the game progressed. It felt like a very professional performance from our guys tonight. We held a very talented team scoreless, and we finally put on our finishing boots tonight.
“Our back four was very solid again, and we are continuing to create some great chances. I am very proud of the performance we put together.”
