Eagles Seven Games In
After the first seven games of the 2012-2013 season, the Wake Tech men's soccer team is 3-4 overall. The Eagles started the season with a 1-0 loss at USC Salkehatchie. The Eagles outshot the Indians, but couldn't find the back of the net. The lone goal for USC Salkehatchie came off a defender and changed direction on Freshman Goal Keeper, Thomas Mousseau. The second match pitted the Eagles against nationally ranked Louisburg College. The Hurricanes are currently ranked #11 in the country, and they held the Eagles to a score of 6-0.
With an 0-2 start, the Eagles were eager to get a win in their home opener versus Patrick Henry Community College. The Eagles scored their first goal of the season when freshman forward, Jarel Orr, drew a penalty in the box, and sophomore midfielder, Kevin Burke, tucked the ball home for the 1-0 win. Thomas Mousseau earned his first collegiate victory with the shutout.
The next two games were a home-and-home series with two-time defending Region X Champions Spartanburg Methodist College. Wake Tech hosted the first match, and took the early 1-0 lead when freshman midfielder, Justin Witzke, sent a ball past the Pioneers keeper. Spartanburg tied it up soon after, but Witzke struck again on a penalty when Jarel Orr was pulled down in the box. SMC rallied for 3 goals and took the game 4-2.
The Eagles traveled to South Carolina a week later for a rematch, and once again took the early lead when sophomore forward, Latif Elaidi, headed home a cross. The Eagles were leading for the majority of the contest, with Thomas Mousseau making huge saves. After multiple fouls, SMC was given a penalty kick which they converted to force overtime. In the second OT, with less than four minutes remaining, SMC finished on a cross and won the game 2-1.
Goal scoring issues seemed to continue for the Eagles the following day at USC Lancaster. The game was deadlocked at 0-0 at halftime, then Wake Tech found their scoring touch when Latif Elaidi nodded a lofted ball into the goal early in the second half. Freshman Eric Subah finished a world class left-footed strike to extend the score to 2-0. Minutes later sophomore Hunter Claussen redirected a free kick with his head to finish off USC Lancaster 3-0. Thomas Mousseau earned another shutout victory in the goal for the Eagles.
Wake Tech traveled to Patrick Henry for game seven, where Latif Elaidi scored a natural hat trick, putting three straight goals into the net to take a 3-0 lead into halftime. Then, Kevin Burke scored on a penalty to extend the lead to 4-0 early in the second half. Patrick Henry was able to pull off a late goal, and the match ended 4-1.
The Eagles host the Seadevils of Cape Fear Community College on Wednesday, October 3rd at WakeMed Soccer Park on Field #2. Kickoff at 4:00 p.m.!
Eye Opener Invitational Results
