ASHLAND, Va. – The Randolph-Macon men's soccer team opened up the 2023 regular season at home against visiting Franciscan University on Friday morning. The Barons fell behind early, but rattled off three unanswered goals en route to a victory in Ashland.
The Basics
Score: Franciscan 3, Randolph-Macon 1
Location/Venue: Ashland, Va./Randolph-Macon College/Nunnally Field
Records: Franciscan (1-0-0, 0-0-0 PAC), Randolph-Macon (0-1-0, 0-0-0 ODAC)
How it Happened
- The first ten minutes were dominated by the Yellow Jackets in the offensive half, rattling off four quick shots, two of which were on target. RMC found the back of the net in the 15th minute, as Chazz Jones headed in a Christian Gordinier free kick.
- Franciscan did not wait long to answer, as Joseph St. George curled in a 17th minute free kick goal from just in front of midfield.
- RMC continued to keep the pressure on the Barons defense for the rest of the first half, testing the keeper with shots in the box. There were four yellow cards given between both teams in the first half, but both teams went into the half tied 1-1.
- The Barons turned on the pressure in the second half, taking the lead in the 73rd minute, as Jonathan Schriner found Anthony Venditti in front of goal.
- Franciscan added an insurance goal in the 84th minute, when Lucas Cross scored on a St. George pass in the corner of the net.
- The Lemon and Black had multiple great looks for shots on goal, unfortunately they couldn't cash in. Aiden Miller and the Baron defense held tough for the majority of the match to take home the win 3-1.
Inside the Numbers
- The Yellow Jackets won the majority of the stat categories, outshooting the Barons 17-9 overall and having six corner kicks to Franciscan's five.
- Jones scored the first goal of the season for RMC, his first since last season against Virginia Wesleyan on Sept. 28 and the goal is also the ninth of his career.
- Zach Fontenot got the start in goal for the Yellow Jackets and made three saves in 90 minutes.
- Gordinier's assist was the first of his career.
Up Next
Randolph-Macon will be back in action on Wednesday, Sept. 6 for a 7 p.m. non-conference matchup against Mary Baldwin at Nunnally Field in Ashland.
