MOUNT VERNON, Ga. -
Julio Souza's four goals off the bench led the (RV) Eagles to a dominant road 5-0 win late Thursday night against Brewton-Parker to open SSAC play and tied a long-standing program record for goals in a match.
After checking in in the 24th minute, Souza laced a left-footed strike from outside the box that thundered past the keeper to put Faulkner in the lead for good in the 37th minute. Souza quickly buried any chance of a Baron comeback as strikes 53 seconds apart in the 52nd and 53rd minutes called game cashing in high press and turnovers from the hosts.
Antoine Marques intercepted a keeper throw and quickly played Souza into transition where he cut back atop the box and buried another left-footed finish. After committing a foul, Tabet won the ball immediately back from the ensuing free kick and sprung the ball to Marques who played Souza in on goal once more. Souza beat the sliding efforts of two Barons to net the 11th hat trick in program history. Marques's two assists have him tied for sixth nationally with Souza for total points.
He was not done there, though. The native of Rio de Janeiro tied a Siaka Kone's four goal figure against Tennessee Temple in 2009 in the 69th minute by winning the ball back on the press off a Brewton-Parker throw-in and combining with
Caden Maldonado on the one-two before scoring with the right foot from around the penalty spot. The goal tied him for fourth in the NAIA for goals scored. Maldonado picked up his first assist of the season.
Just four minutes later, Souza was brought down in the box and
Matheus Rodrigues tucked away the penalty for his second goal of the season.
Defensively, the Eagles held the Barons to just two shots on goal, the fifth match this season allowing two or fewer shots on goal.
Matteo Scarduzio saved both including a great reaction save in the 22nd minute off a corner to keep the match level.
The match started nearly 2 hours late due to inclement weather that suspended play in the women's game, creating a late, but memorable night for the boys in blue.
The victory ties the program's largest win over the long-tenured foe with the "2020" season home win. It is also the first time ever that Faulkner has started SSAC play 1-0.
The Eagles look to improve upon its six match win streak, which is tied for the longest streak in the nation, and seven matches unbeaten Saturday against the Knights of Middle Georgia State at 4 p.m. at home.
