Catholic University of America

SELINSGROVE, Pa.  –  The Catholic men's soccer team looked to get back in the win column on Wednesday evening in its final road game of the regular season against Susquehanna. The Cardinals got off to a fast start, scoring two goals in the first 20 minutes to grab a strong hold on the match, leading to a 6-0 victory over the River Hawks in dominant fashion. 

The Cardinals found the back of the net early in the action after they played a cross in from the right side of the penalty area and Seth Michalak got on the end of the second ball off a failed clearance from the River Hawks. Michalak smashed home a header into the top left corner to make it a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute.

Catholic received a golden opportunity to double its lead after Azaria Tewodros drew a foul inside the 18-yard box to set up a penalty opportunity. Tewodros went on to take the penalty himself and sent the keeper the wrong way, tucking his shot into the right side of the goal to make it a 2-0 lead for the Cardinals just 20 minutes into the action. 

The Cardinals continued to control play throughout the first half, holding the River Hawks to just one shot throughout the period while firing off nine shots of their own as they took a two-goal advantage into the break. 

The momentum continued to roll in favor of Catholic early in the second half as it added a third goal 15 minutes into the period. The play started on a shot from Michalak that was spilled away by the Susquehanna keeper as Tewodros raced to the ball and squared a pass to Michael Brown, who tapped the ball into the open net for the third score of the night. 

The Cardinals continued to pour it on late in the match as Ryan Kuegler ripped a shot that was deflected by one of the River Hawks defenders across the goal line for a fourth goal. Kaleb Wilburn stole the show from that point on, collecting two goals in the final eight minutes of the game, one that was assisted by Corey Magro and the other by Alessandro Marquez Zeleya to cap off a resounding 6-0 victory. The win improved Catholic's record to 10-1-4 on the season and 4-1-2 in conference play. It is now eight consecutive seasons with double digit wins for the program.

Michalak's goal to open the game's scoring was his fifth of the season giving him the team lead in goals, putting him in a tie for third place in the Landmark in goals this year. Tewodros recorded his second match with a goal and an assist this year to bring his season totals to four in each category. He is now the team leader in points with 12 which is tied for fourth-most in the conference. Kuegler's goal made him the 15th different goal scorer for Catholic this season. Six goals in the match is the most scored by the Cardinals thus far this season and the most in a game by the program since October 26, 2019 when they put six past Moravian. 

Owen Allegro collected two saves in the victory while also notching his seventh shutout of the season. The Cardinals have blanked five conference opponents this year in seven in four Landmark matchups. Allegro along with Magro and Aidan Brindle played the full 90 minutes for Catholic in the win.

Catholic returns to Carlini Field on Saturday, October 24 for a conference contest against 12th-ranked Scranton. Kick off is scheduled for 1 pm.