BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. - Faulkner's aggressive press led directly to three goals to counter an early concession with two first half goals and a dagger moments into the second half to take a 3-1 win over Blue Mountain Thursday afternoon on the road at Topper Pitch in SSAC play.
The Eagles (5-3-2, 3-1-1 SSAC) saw the Toppers (0-5-3, 0-3 SSAC) get ahead in a match for just the second time this season a mere 20 seconds into the match when a scissor kick volley from Keishun Kanesaka off Karim Swedi's cross found the net. The lead was short-lived as Faulkner answered right back in the sixth minute when Caio de Luna Gomes deflected a pass between the BMCU centerbacks and crossed into the captain
Caio Pereira who hit a jumping right footed volley over the keeper to level at one a piece with his second goal of the season.
The defense turned offense continued again for de Luna Gomes who picked off another backline pass around midfield, dribbled around the last defender back before dropping the goalkeeper and slotting home the open net finish in the 16th minute. It was his second goal of the year. Both goals followed an assist of a Pereira tally, replicating the scoring sequence against New College of Florida on August 31. The 2-1 scoreline held through halftime.
About two minutes into the second half,
Leo Freire pressed the Topper right back and going on a blasting run, dribbling past one centerback, keeping the dribble from a strong recovery tackle attempt from the right back and sprinting into space around the other centerback before rocketing a right-footed strike in for the third and final goal of the afternoon. It was his seventh match with a goal contribution in the last eight and 10th contribution in the span and moved him alone in 11th place all-time in goals scored with 11 career tallies.Â
Faulkner's defense was more than up to the task, allowing just four shots on goal with
Andre Ferreira saving three in his first start as an Eagle.Â
The Eagles sit at 10 points through five conference games and occupy the third place in the SSAC table.
Faulkner travels to Pulaski, Tenn. to take on a red-hot Firehawk squad Saturday that is receiving votes in the latest NAIA poll. UT Southern has scored 25 goals in their last two matches. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
