McKeesport, PA. – After dropping their first game of the season to Point Park on Wednesday, the PSUGA Soccer team (0-1, 0-0) looks to rebound when they take on Southern State CC (0-1, 0-0) on Saturday at 4 p.m. Despite the loss last time out, defense continues to be a strong point for this year’s team as they continue to look for offensive opportunities to back up the strong play.
Point Park was kept off the board for the first 13 minutes of the game, but were able to rally for four first half points, forcing PSUGA to have to play catchup the entire game. Despite finding more offensive opportunities in the second half, they just couldn’t get anything to fall and would up dropping the contest 5-0.
Belmo Nurkic (Pittsburgh, PA./Baldwin HS) led on the offensive side of the ball with three shots, two on goal, and was followed by Jagesh Subba (Pittsburgh, PA./Baldwin HS) who had two shots, one on goal. However, none of the team’s shots were able to find the net as they took their first shutout loss of the 2018 season.
Idriss Benejelloun (Harrisburg, PA./Susquehanna Township HS) and Dario Marina (Pittsburgh, PA./Baldwin HS) continued their strong defensive play from the preseason contesting many of the balls that found their way into the Point Park offensive zone. Colin Bucsok (Pittsburgh, PA./Thomas Jefferson) was under pressure a lot of the day but played well managing to make 12 saves in 17 shots on goal.
It is the second season in a row that the PSUGA Soccer team has dropped their opening game, however, head coach Dale Odim saw a lot of positives that his team could build on as they head closer and closer to conference play starting next week. His defense has proved to be a strong point this season, and they are closer to finding which players will help them most on offense.
Southern State CC is also looking for a rebound game after falling 13-0 to PSU-Beaver their last time out. It took PSU-Beaver just three minutes to get on the board, and they kept the offensive attack going for the entire 90 minutes. Chanler Cordel led his team with four of the five shots on the day with one being on goal.
In three previous match-ups between these two teams, PSUGA has the upperhand with a record of 2-1 against the Saints. Their last meeting came on August 28th of 2015 when PSUGA picked up a 3-0 win. Former Lions Gerardo Diaz and Ricardo Dip provided all the offense on that day with one and two goals respectively.
Kickoff for Saturday’s game is schedule for 4 p.m. at the Francis McClure Intermediate School soccer field located at 500 Longvue Drive, White Oak, PA. 15131. Gates will open at 3 p.m. before kickoff at 4 p.m.
