The Basics

Score: Evangel 3, Avila 0 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (5-1-1, 1-1-1), Avila (3-4-0, 1-1-0)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Coryell Field)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Men's Soccer played host to the Avila Eagles on Wednesday (Sept. 24) evening, looking to earn their first win in conference play after tying with McPherson last Saturday. Evangel would score midway through the first half and add a pair of insurance goals in the second half, taking a 3-0 shutout of Avila on Wednesday, earning head coach Kyle Beard his 100th career victory.

Evangel dominated possession in the first half, putting up several shot attempts that required saves from the Avila goalkeeper to keep EU off the scoreboard. At the 21:58 mark, Akari Sydney sent a ball across the pitch that found Joao Sa, who passed the ball off to Juyong Kim who just slightly altered the ball to score the first goal of the evening, giving EU a 1-0 lead. Andrea Fincato would have Evangel's final shot on goal of the first half, but the Eagles keeper kept EU from extending their lead, taking a 1-0 advantage into the halftime break.

Evangel kept the pressure on Avila in the second half, as the Eagles were unable to do much offensively to try and get back into the game. Alim Bangura was able to score his first goal of the season in the 77th minute, scoring after a deflection from an Avila defender. Caleb Kuchta would add to his team leading goals total to cap off the night, as Andrea Fincato gave a solid pass to the junior Kuchta, who scored to give EU their 3-0 victory against Avila.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Evangel outshot Avila, 21-10, including 11-2 on goal.

• Caleb Kuchta scored goal number five of the season, while Juyong Kim recorded his third and Alim Bangura scored his first.

• Davide Marzoli finished with yet another clean sheet and two saves in the 3-0 win.

• Head Coach Kyle Beard earned his 100th career victory with the win.

QUOTABLE

"Tonight is one of those nights that was just a complete team win. There's so many positive moments and so many of our guys played at full tilt momentum. I'm so proud of them. Ethan Gilliam might've played the best game he's ever played for Evangel. Our back line was impressive, Davide Marzoli was really sharp in goal and our attackers were relentless," Men's Soccer Head Coach Kyle Beard stated. "We did not stop until the game ended, I think we could've put three more goals in if we had 10 more minutes, that's one of those games where as a coach you just really enjoy watching the guys step in and play the way you know they've always been able to play. Now our goal is just to continue to play at this speed and at this pace for each other for the next game. I'm so proud of the guys and the way they came together tonight."

UP NEXT

Valor Men's Soccer takes on the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes on Saturday (Sept. 27) afternoon at Coryell Field. Gametime is set for 2:30 p.m.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, X (@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.