MARIETTA, Ga. - The Eagles picked up a massive 4-1 win Thursday night in yet another historic performance defeating the highest ranked opponent ever, knocking off No. 18 Life on the road thanks to three second half goals to improve to 9-0-1 and 4-0 in SSAC play. The victory is just the second win over a team in the top 25 with the only other triumph coming in a 2-1 win at AUM Oct. 10, 2015.
Faulkner controlled the match from the start, shooting the first six shots before
Gabriel Rokbrand floated a cross to the opposite post to
Leo Freire who buried the shot for the opening goal in the 19th minute. Faulkner would shoot twice more before Life took its first attempt.
The Running Eagles equalized in the 56th minute when a long throw-in bounced through to Matteo Olivotto who scored to the opposite post. The tie was short-lived as
Thomas Buijs headed a
Gabriel Rokbrand corner nicely across the frame in the 69th minute and
Caio Pereira scored the eventual match winner with a header to the ground.
Matheus Rodrigues made the run to the top of the box as
Antoine Marques floated a pass to him from the end line and the Rio Branco, Brazil native scored on his second touch off a chested forward first touch just eight minutes later to make it 3-1 and put the game firmly in the hands of the still undefeated side.
Rodrigues connected again from distance to put the finishing touches on another dominant performance scoring from 22 meters out to complete his first brace as an Eagle. He has now scored in three of the last four matches.
Matteo Scarduzio stopped three shots in the victory as the Eagles continue the impressive streak of not allowing multiple goals in a match this season.
Faulkner is one of eight teams that remain undefeated at time of writing. The +38 goal differential ranks third nationally behind Washington Adventist (+55) and Westcliff (+44). The Eagles rank fourth in the NAIA in total goals.
Faulkner also has now won twice at Lupo Family Field after defeating Montreat earlier this month in a neutral site contest which matches the win total of hosts Life in the same span.
The Eagles continue the tough stretch of schedule with a home match against No. 2 Dalton State, an opponent that has lost just twice since the start of last season, Saturday evening at 6 p.m. at Billy D. Hilyer Stadium.
