The Basics

Score: Evangel 3, Avila 0 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (5-0-1, 1-0-0), Avila (0-5-0, 0-1-0)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Coryell Field)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Men's Soccer opened conference play on Wednesday (Sept. 18) evening, hosting the Avila Eagles. Evangel used a strong attack early to overwhelm the Eagles and overall balanced team play helped fuel the Valor to victory, 3-0.

Evangel came out firing early, using a strong offensive attack to keep the Eagles defense on their heels. Eneh Chibozor had a strong attempt at goal in the first 3:44 of the game, but a save from the goalie kept EU off the scoreboard. Rem Harmsworth, in just his second game back from injury, was able to receive the ball from Chibozor on a great cross at the 20:45 mark and drill a shot in the back of the net to give the Valor a 1-0 lead. Evangel was able to keep pressure on the Avila defense the remainder of the half, but could not score an additional goal, taking a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.

Similar to the first half, the majority of Wednesday night's game was played in Evangel's attacking half of the field. Just two minutes into the second half, Ruben Gonzalez wove his way through multiple defenders and put a nice pass over to Andrea Fincato who nailed a shot that scored, putting Evangel ahead, 2-0. The Valor had multiple opportunities to build on their lead, but strong saves from the Avila keeper kept EU from goal number three until the 79:35 mark. Fincato used an exceptional through pass to find Chibozor who put the ball in the goal, giving the Valor a 3-0 lead they held to the conclusion of the match.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Eneh Chibozor continues to lead the Valor offensively, scoring goal number five in the win.

• Andrea Fincato scored his fourth goal of the season, while Rem Harmswoth scored his second in as many games.

• Ryan Garner earned his fifth win and clean sheet of the season.

• This is Evangel's first ever conference opening win (previously 0-9 in conference openers)

QUOTABLE

"The guys played really solid as a team tonight. We have been talking about playing intelligent football with intensity and we put it together tonight," Men's Soccer Head Coach Kyle Beard stated. "Each goal we scored was exceptional with solid passes leading to the shots. I am proud of our guys and am really excited about our team moving forward!"

UP NEXT

Evangel Men's Soccer hits the road on Saturday (Sept. 21) afternoon, taking on the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes in Salina, Kan., at 2:00 p.m.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, Twitter (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.