Beaver Falls, PA - The Geneva Men′s Soccer team wasted no time honoring its three seniors Saturday night at Reeves field. A Senior Night that started with hugs and flowers for mom was quickly followed by quality soccer and a plethora of first half goals. However, during the celebration, Geneva shared no goals with Bethany as they defeated the Bison 4-0.
The Golden Tornadoes started quickly out of the gate getting the scoring started in the 8th minute. After a possession buildup, the ball was corralled on the end line by Alexander Rosenbaum and bent beautifully to the back post for Jeremey Troutman who pounded a header behind the sprawling Bethany keeper and into the back of the net. Geneva controlled the next 10 minutes of play before Rosenbaum found Troutman again for another back post finish for his 5th goal of the season to give the Golden Tornadoes a 2-0 lead in the 22nd minute. As the atmosphere at Reeves field intensified, Geneva continued to pepper the Bison keeper while stifling the normally powerful attack of the Bison.
As the half rolled on, senior Garrett Masters found freshman Jonathan Shoaf who pounded a powerful, bending shot from 25 yards out that found the back of the net to give Geneva a 3-0 lead in the 37th minute. Just over one minute later, a scrum in the box ended with Daniel Cox tipping the ball to Robert Butler who slotted home the 4th and final goal for the Golden Tornadoes. At the end of the half, Geneva held a 12-1 advantage in shots and a 4-0 advantage on the score board.
The second half proved to be a much more subdued 45 minutes of soccer as the Golden Tornadoes held the majority of the possession with a large lead. Bethany, led by Arkangelo James and Lamine Balde, proved dangerous a few times in transition for the Bison, but Geneva′s back line led by seniors John Shipley and Jesse Herman were up for the challenge. The Golden Tornadoes managed 15 second half shots but were unable to add to their lead. Geneva finished with a 27-6 advantage in shots and a 10-2 edge in corners.
Most importantly, the Golden Tornadoes punched their ticket into the PAC semi-finals with the win against Bethany. The win eliminates Waynesburg from playoff contention and gives Geneva the 4th seed going in the PAC tournament.
Head Coach Gary Dunda commented after the big Senior Night win, "I′m very proud of the boys tonight. It was a complete 90 minute effort. It′s always good to win your final home game of the year and send three great seniors into the PAC playoffs once again."
Geneva will travel to #1 seed Thomas More to play a semifinal matchup against the Saints on Wednesday, November 6th at 1 p.m. With the win Geneva improves to 8-7-3 (4-3-1) on the season while the Bison finish their season at 7-12-1 (2-5-1).
Geneva College invites students to accept the challenge of an academically excellent, Christ-centered education. Offering nearly 40 undergraduate majors, Adult Degree Programs with fully online and campus-based options, and seven graduate degrees, Geneva has programs that place students at the forefront of higher learning. Adhering to the inerrancy of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God′s word as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today′s world.
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