PORTSMOUTH, OHIO (Men's Soccer) – The Shawnee State men's soccer team scored goals in the third, ninth, 19th and 25th minutes to take a controlling lead in the opening half, as the Bears took advantage early and often in a 5-0 victory over Georgetown College on Thursday afternoon at Shawnee Turf.
It took just three minutes for Ben Pulsford (JR/Slough, England) to find the back of the net, scoring on a assist from Afery Patton and Connor Sherman (JR/Flushing, Ohio). A throw-in from Patton nicked the head of Sherman to redirect to Pulsford. The junior completed a nifty sliding finish at the back post to give SSU the early lead.
Five minutes later, Martyn Sayer (SO/Liverpool, England) extended the lead. Tanner Hopwood (SR/Waynesville, Ohio) was credited with the assist on the goal, as Sayer finished just inside the goalie box from 17 feet in the upper-90.
In the 19th minute, Clement Osei-Bonsu (SO/Columbus, Ohio) got in on the goal parade with a score right at the net. After a scramble left Joseph Webster (SR/Kendal, Cumbria United Kingdom) with possession, the senior found Osei-Bonsu who finished the short score.
Dylan Stevens (JR/Canal Winchester, Ohio) made it 4-0 in the 25th minute on a dandy of a free kick. Following the penalty, Stevens lined up just outside of the box, and launched a missile that cut hard to the back post to ripple the twine.
Pulsford added a second goal on a penalty kick in the 55th minute to cap the scoring for the Bears. He was named the Portsmouth Pizzeria Man of the Match for his effort.
Keeper Brandon Pfeifer (FR/Canal Winchester, Ohio) earned his first victory of the season, blanking the visitors for 61 minutes of action. Justin Mahlmeister (SO/Portsmouth, Ohio) kept the Tigers scoreless for the final 29 minutes.
Shawnee State is back in action Saturday with a 6 p.m. matchup at Cedarville University. The Bears return home Wednesday for a 4 p.m. contest with the University of Rio Grande.
