PULASKI, Tenn. – It took 35 minutes into the 2022 season for the University of Tennessee Southern men's soccer team to get on the board, leading to a clean sheet 4-nil season-opening victory over Blue Mountain on Tuesday (Aug. 23) at Grissom Pitch.

Senior Pietari Vanska blasted a shot that keeper Gabriel Omeneze couldn't corral to give the Firehawks a first-half lead that would hold at the break. Sophomore Konstantinos Theodorakis was credited with the helper. The Firehawks outshot the Toppers 9-4 in the opening stanza.

Just 19 seconds into the final half, Senior Miguel Tizapa found the net, from the boot of Junior Ramone Lewis, for the first of his pair of goals. Tizapa tactfully chipped the ball over past diving keeper Niels Van den Bosch. Tizapa would best Van den Bosch gaining possession on a bad BMC pass just 10 minutes later. The final goal was one of sheer efficiency. Freshman Cooper Budwee hit a wide-open Senior Carlos Galan for a quick cross that was finished off the head of Freshman Marius Gunderson into the top right corner. UTS would dominate 19-9 in shots, and lead 8-4 in shots-on-goal.

Senior keeper Ajay Murray recorded three saves on three chances, earning his first decision of the season between the sticks.

Coach Brian Davies was pleased with his team's performance on the pitch. "Good team win tonight! The first game of the season is usually a tough one as we're still getting to know each other and finding our way. We were very limited in preparing for our opponent and what their style of play would be like. I thought we had some great individual performances like Miguel and some new faces played extremely well. I am very happy with our defense for keeping a clean sheet! We look to keep the momentum going and prepare for Brescia on Saturday."

NEXT UP

The Firehawks will travel to Owensboro, Ky. to take on the Bearcats of Brescia. The kickoff is set for 2 pm. The match will be played at Thompson Berry Soccer Complex.

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