The NVU-Johnson Badger Men's Soccer team played in-state opponent Vermont Technical College to a 3-0 victory on the road in Randolph, VT. 

The game marked the season opener for the Badgers and was the second match for the Knights as they welcomed the Badgers for an afternoon contest.  The game began with back and forth action in the middle third of the field as each team battled to control possession early in the match.  An early shot on goal for VTC and save by the Badgers Patrick Austin was quickly turned into offense on the other end for the Badger which resulted in Wyatt Moberg hitting the goal post for what was the beginning of consistent shots from the Badgers all match long, in total the Badgers had 31 shots of which 16 were on net.  At the 27:18 mark in the first half NVU-Johnson's Thomy Mwali put the first goal in for the Badgers on well timed assist off of the foot of Makanaka Chikava to put the Badgers up 1-0.

The Badgers continued their offensive efforts peppering shot after shot on the VTC goalkeeper Thomas Ferguson, who played a strong game in goal for the Knights turning away 13 of the Badgers shots.

The Badgers started the second half by striking early with the second goal of the match coming just over 2 minutes into the half as Elliot Hanna put a strike past Ferguson to bring the Badgers lead to 2-0.  Hanna's first goal of the season came off of an assist from freshman Sogui Ndiaye.  Ndiaya had an active day for the Badgers, tallying 7 shots on goal in his opening match for the Badgers.  Throughout the second half of action the Badgers defense refused to allow VTC any quality shot attempts.  Strong play from Adrian Popowycz and Makanaka Chikava helped guide the defensive effort for the Badgers in front of the Badgers GK Austin.  In addition to the quality backline play of the Badgers defenders, Wesley Swanson, Silas Lowenthal and Robens Magloire worked all match to win 50/50 balls for the Badgers and helped start the Badgers offensive attack.  

With just under 2 minutes left in regulation the Badgers Moberg took a corner kick and with excellent placement allowed the Badgers to get another opportunity in front of the Knights net.  Following a deflection the Badgers Hanna found himself in position to score a goal for the Badgers.  His second of the match, which increased their lead to 3-0.  As the final seconds rolled off the clock the NVU-Johnson Men's soccer team celebrated with their goalie as they begin the season 1-0.

The Badgers next opponent will be Saturday 9/11 at 2:30pm as they take on North Atlantic Conference opponent Cazenovia College.

Go Badgers

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