Box Score Memphis, TN –
Pontus Gitselov scored a pair of goals, including the game winner late in the second half to aid the Maryville Saints Men's soccer team as they completed a successful season opening trip to Memphis with a 5-3 victory over Delta State on Saturday evening.
The Saints got out to a fast start as
Helmut Florencia drilled a shot from the top of the box to score his second goal of the season and gave Maryville an early 1-0 in the 20
th minute of play. Gitselov extended the Saints lead to 2-0 as he collected his second goal of the year by nailing a penalty kick in the 24
th minute of action. The Statesmen battled back at the end of the half by converting a penalty kick of their own and another goal with less than a minute remaining in the half to tie the game at 2-2.
Delta State (1-1-0) continued their offensive flurry by adding another goal just a 1:54 into the second half to take their first lead of the day 3-2, but Maryville came roaring back.
Kevin Doherty found the back of the net in the 67
th minute to tie the match at 3-3 while Gitselov scored his second goal of the day as he hit a strike from the top of the box into the upper right corner of the goal to give Maryville a 4-3 lead with just over 18 minutes remaining in the match. The Saints received some insurance in the 78
th minute on a Statesmen own goal to push the lead out to 5-3.
"I was proud of the way our guys responded to going down in the second half." Head Coach David Korn said. "They showed a ton of character and resilience. I thought some of our older players like Sam Scoles and Kevin Doherty played their roles very well in the game. we have a lot to learn from this game and the opening weekend, but there is a lot to be excited about with this group. They are talented and our consistency and mentality will continue to improve through their focus and hard work."
Maryville (2-0-0) returns to action on Friday, September 9 as they open up Great Lakes Valley Conference play on the road at Bellarmine at 6:30 p.m. eastern time.
