Box Score LYNCHBURG, VA — The Randolph College men's soccer team put together one of its most complete games Wednesday, notching four second-half goals while holding Emory & Henry College scoreless in a 4-0 defeat of the Wasps in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) action from wet WildCat Stadium.
The four goals were the most since the WildCats netted four in a win over Ferrum College back on September 15. More importantly, the Randolph defense came together to allow no goals and record its first shutout since a win over Bridgewater College on September 21. The win jumped Randolph up into a tie for fifth in the ODAC with Hampden-Sydney College.
Thought the WildCats (10-4/3-4 ODAC) didn't score in the first stanza, the hosts dominated play holding E&H (4-9/1-6 ODAC) to just one shot while taking 10 of their own. EHC's Justin Spencer was strong in net, making three saves including a point blank save on a Jacob Lusczek (Fredericksburg, VA/Chancellor) breakaway.
Though the rain began to come down harder in the second half, the WildCat offense turned up the heat. After a foul on Emory & Henry, Nick Cornell (Front Royal, VA/Warren Co.) placed a perfect ball to Will Wolf (Goldsboro, NC/Cardinal Gibbons), who headed in the cross for his second goal of the year at 57:38.
A little over three minutes later, sophomore John Vecchietti (Annandale, VA/W.T. Woodson) blasted a shot past Spencer off of a loose ball in the box to make the score 2-0. First-year Seth Dorman (Lynchburg, VA/Liberty Christian) had his best game as a collegiate as he spelled Corey Sindle (Gloucester, VA/Gloucester) up top. Dorman's energy and hard work paid off at the 76:49 mark, as he made a nice move on a defender and tucked in a shot for his second career tally.
The WildCats would put a bow on the festivities with a late strike, as Celestin Kabamba (Woodbridge, VA/C.D. Hylton) scored his first collegiate goal with help from sophomore Travis Watson (Virginia Beach, VA/Salem) . That was all that sophomore keeper Carter Smith (Greensboro, NC/Grimsley) would need, as he made two saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Smith's shutout was his second of the season, as he also blanked Maryville College earlier this season. Randolph ended with an 18-5 shot advantage, taking five corner kicks to the two of Emory & Henry. Spencer finished with four saves on the night for the visitors.
The Randolph victory was their 10th on the season, which tied the squad with last year's team for the school record for wins in a year. The WildCats have now won two of their last three contests.
The WildCats will take their last step out of conference action Saturday evening, as they travel to Axton, VA for a neutral site matchup with Averett University. The match is being played at the Smith River Sports Complex at 7 p.m. Saturday. For more information and directions, click on their home page HERE.
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