ASHLAND, Va. – The Randolph-Macon men's soccer team scored in the second half to defeat North Carolina Wesleyan, 1-0, in the season opener.
The Basics
Score: Randolph-Macon 1, North Carolina Wesleyan 0
Venue: Ashland, Va. / Randolph-Macon College / RMC Grass Soccer Field
Records: Randolph-Macon (1-0-0, 0-0-0 ODAC); North Carolina Wesleyan (0-1-0, 0-0-0 USA South)
How it Happened
- In a first half where both offenses struggled to find a rhythm, Randolph-Macon benefited from standout defensive effort by Bryce Kuberek (King George, Va. / King George) and Wiley Eubank (Raleigh, N.C. / Broughton). Eubank anchored the defense, limiting North Carolina Wesleyan's scoring chances, while Kuberek controlled the midfield, consistently breaking up plays and winning balls in the air.
- The Yellow Jackets controlled possession and tallied 14 shots, while the Battling Bishops managed just two shots in the opening period. Despite the pressure, the game remained scoreless at halftime.
- Randolph-Macon kept up the attack after the break. In the 48th minute, Elijah Caro (Asheville, N.C. / Black Mountain) found Grayson Woods (Charlotte, N.C. / Myers Park), who fired past goalkeeper Jacob Westermark to give the Yellow Jackets a 1-0 lead.
- In the closing minute, the Battling Bishops pushed for an equalizer. Jordi Rodriguez tested the Yellow Jacket back line with a shot to the bottom-right corner, but Ethan Chenoweth (Newport News, Va. / Warwick) came up with a clutch save to secure the win in the home opener.
Inside the Numbers
- Randolph-Macon outshot North Carolina Wesleyan 20-7, including a 7-to-2 edge in shots on goal.
- Tyler Oakes (Nottingham, England / Toothill School), Casey Royle (Midlothian, Va. / Midlothian), Jayden Walker (Suffolk, Va. / Norfolk Collegiate) and Barrett Wilson (Lexington, S.C. / Lexington) made their collegiate debuts, contributing to the first win of the season.
- Chenoweth recorded two saves in 90 minutes, earning his first career shutout in his first career start.
Up Next
Randolph-Macon returns to action at home on Sunday, August 31, when they take on No. 24 Ohio Northern at 12:00 p.m. in the second game of the regular season.
