Catholic University of America

WASHINGTON, D.C.  –  The Catholic men's soccer team looked to pick up a victory at home against Goucher on Wednesday afternoon before a four game road stretch in conference play in the coming weeks. The Cardinals grabbed a goal late in the first half and took that momentum into the second 45 minutes with three more goals to lock down a convincing 4-0 victory over the Gophers. 

The Cardinals held a strong shot advantage in the first half, out-shooting the Gophers 11-1 and also earning a penalty but Melvin Ahoueya came up with a key save to keep things tied. Catholic finally found a breakthrough in the 35th minute when Hamin Oladokun delivered a cross from the left side of the 18-yard box that was played right in front of goal by Jack Cappuccio. Azaria Tewodros was on the end of Cappuccio's ball and sent a strong header into the top of the netting to send the Cardinals into halftime with a 1-0 lead. 

It did not take Catholic long into the second half to double the lead as Seth Michalak placed a shot in the far left corner of the goal that went ringing off the upright and across the goal line to make it a 2-0 score just five minutes into the period. Just three minutes after that in the 54th minute Carson Shamoo made a run through the Goucher back line and tucked a shot away in the right side of the goal to quickly increase the lead to three. 

The Cardinals continued to control the game throughout the second half, preventing the Gophers from getting another shot off and raking up 15 of their own. Tewodros and Oladokun connected for another goal late in the period in the 81st minute after Tewodros won the ball high up the field and Oladokun found a way to finish the goal to put a cap on a 4-0 victory.

Catholic improved its record to 8-0-3 on the season with the win and are now 2-0-1 in Landmark play. The Cardinals have now won nine straight contests against the Gophers and extended their streak to 42 consecutive Landmark regular season games without a defeat. 

Michalak, Shamoo and Oladokun each bagged their third goals of the season to tie them for the team lead as the Cardinals now have four players with three goals on the season. Tewodros took over the team lead in assists with three on the season and also picked up his second goal, making him the eighth Catholic player with multiple goals this year. 

Owen Allegro picked up his fifth solo shutout of the season and the 20th of his career, which puts him on top of the career shutout list in DIII program history. The Cardinals now have eight shutouts in their 11 matches. Allegro as well as Aidan Brindle, Corey Magro and Charlie Paparella played the full 90 minutes in the victory.

The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday, October 10 for another Landmark matchup against Wilkes. Kickoff is set for 4 pm at John Makuvek Field.