DUBUQUE, Iowa - Everyone seemed to be in the mix as the 25th-ranked Ashford University men's soccer team pitched an impressive 3-0 shutout under the lights on Wednesday against NCAA Div. III University of Dubuque.
The match was played in three separate periods of 30 minutes each, allowing the coaching staff from each side a chance to give their players an extended look.
"I was very happy with the whole result and everyone really came to play tonight," AU Head Coach Richard Markham said. "(University of) Dubuque is a very, very good squad. This was the first time we could assemble a starting lineup on the field and I thought they played very well together."
A pair of returners fittingly teamed up for the first, and what turned out to be the game-winning goal as junior midfielder Nick De Backer of Antwerp, Belgium, scored on a feed from senior forward Vedran Ilic of Rockford, Ill., in the 41st minute.
About 20 minutes later, a pair of transfers in Bart Boguszewski (University of Illinois-Chicago) of Blatystok, Poland, and Javid Wood (West Virginia Tech) of Port Antonio, Jamaica, connected for another goal. Boguszewski's 25-yard blast put the Saints up 2-0.
Keeping the theme of pairs together, a pair of freshmen capped the scoring and cashed in for the third goal as Hunter McVietty of Geneseo, Ill., found the net on a pass from Alex Kivali of Abbots Langley, England, in the 72nd minute.
The Saints' trademark stifling defense was at it once again, holding UD's pair of First-Team IIAC forwards in check and the Spartans off the scoreboard. According to Markham, his team didn't allow a shot on goal in the first period and overall yielded little opportunity.
"I always have expectations of winning and was very anxious to see our starters matched up against theirs, "Markham said. "Our team is able to put a number of different combinations out on the field. We have incredible depth this year."
Stats were not officially kept as Dubuque hadn't finalized their roster by game time.
The Saints have one more day of practice before the start of the regular season on Friday. Ashford heads out with the women's squad to compete in the NWC/Dordt Pizza Ranch Classic extending into Saturday.
Stay tuned to AshfordAthletics.com for a full season preview in the near future.
