PORTSMOUTH – Freshman Nick Dowdell's goal in the 54th minute of play proved to be the difference Wednesday afternoon for men's soccer. SSU controlled the offensive flow of the game with a 23-9 advantage in shots, 13-5 lead in shots on goal and a 9-4 edge in corner attempts, but would still have to keep the defensive unit on top of its game for the full 90 minutes.
Fortunately for SSU, goalie Thomas Carbonari and the rest of the Bears' defense were up to the challenge as the junior stopped all five of the shots on goal that he faced for the shutout victory. Both of SSU's wins have now been 1-0 decisions. Despite the two narrow decisions, the Bears sit at 2-2 in Mid-South play.
Just under three minutes into the game, Dowdell looked to make the early tally after having an initial attempt saved, but sent the rebound wide. In total, seven different times Shawnee State would test Pikeville's goalie in the opening half. However, he would stop each successive attempt as the two sides went into the half scoreless.
To start the second half, it was Pikeville that generated the first two scoring chances. However, after a save and shot wide, Dowdell would make his first attempt of the second half pay off. With the feed coming from Chad Johnston, Dowdell finished his first collegiate goal to the far post and gave his squad the 1-0 advantage.
Not wanting to slip back into a defensive mindset with the lead, SSU continued to push the pace of the game forward and held a 12-5 advantage in shots over the entire second half of play. The Bears would have a chance to really put a damper on Pikeville's chances of a rally when SSU earned a penalty kick opportunity in the 86th minute of play. However, the initial shot from Johnston would be saved. Off the rebound, Jacob Hackworth sent his attempt wide of frame and the Bears were not in the clear yet.
Unfazed by the chance to solidify their lead, the Bears defense continued to hold Pikeville's offense in check at the opposite end of the field. The closest the visitors came to getting a chance at the equalizer over the final four minutes was blown off as one of the attacking players was caught offside.
Carbonari would face a total of five shots in the second half, but needed to make just two saves on shots that were on target. He would not flinch and came away with his second shutout of the season. Joseph Webster and Hackworth each finished with a team-high five shots on the afternoon. Dowdell took four shots and put three on goal, including the game winner. Nine different players recorded a shot on Wednesday for the hosts on a day when the team had five freshmen in the starting 11.
The Bears will now be off until next Tuesday when they host the No. 1 team in the country for the second time this season. They hosted preseason No. 1 Lindsey Wilson in the season opener. Tuesday's opponent, Rio Grande, has since knocked off Lindsey Wilson and assumed the top ranking. The game with Rio Grande on Tuesday will be at home and follow the women's game. It is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.
