Editor’s note: Find a slideshow at the end of the story.
Union’s men’s soccer team lost 3-0 in a home match Sept. 27 to Christian Brothers University at Union’s Smith Memorial Soccer Complex.
The halftime score was 1-0 due to a goal in the 8th minute from Jose Ferraz of Christian Brothers with assists from Shaun Abbott and Ralph Velasco.
In the 52nd minute Abbott got an unassisted goal to put Christian Brothers up 2-0.
The final goal was scored in the 71st minute by Matt Derise of Christian Brothers with an assist from Tony Aloia for the 3-0 final.
“This was definitely one of our worst games of this year,” said goalkeeper Matt Kesler, sophomore philosophy major. “We have a few starters out with injuries, so we are having to learn what kind of team we are.”
On Oct. 4, the team traveled to the University of Alabama-Huntsville. The Bulldogs came away with a 3-0 loss against the Chargers.
Kyle Simmons of Alabama scored the first goal for the Chargers in the 13th minute. Simmons scored again in the 32nd minute, bringing the Chargers up 2-0.
Seth Guiler sophomore, forward of Union took the lone shot in the opening half.
In the first 15 minutes of the second half, Diego Santos and Guiler each had a shot on goal, but Chargers goalkeeper Will Carpenter saved them both.
Simmons scored the third goal for the Chargers, bringing them into a strong lead of 3-0.
Trey Scogin and Joel Ronkko, both forwards for Union, each had opportunities in the bottom of second half to score goals, but neither was successful.
“There are still some things we need to work on as a team that became very clear in this game,” said defenseman Taylor Mayo.
The season is going strong with multiple games still left to be played.
Kesler and Mayo each have faith that the Bulldogs can turn around the past few games.
“I have high hopes for the rest of the season,” Kesler said. “We are a very hard team to beat when we play with passion and motivation, so once we get that back and learn we need to play the guys we have, we will be a very strong team.”
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