BREVARD, N.C. – A pair of goals from Xavier Mariduena (first & second goals of 2018) alongside an Alex Tenjhay strike (third goal of 2018) helped the Brevard College Men's Soccer team (4-12) pull away from Bob Jones University (5-10-1) 3-1 on Monday night to secure its first win at home in 2018.
Neither team found the back of the net through a majority of the first half, although Brevard enjoyed a shot and possession advantage in the first stanza.
Mariduena broke the ice in the 40th minute, taking a through pass from Matthew Brethen, beating the defender one-on-one, and placing the ball past the keeper's outstretched hands, giving BC a 1-0 advantage.
Bob Jones had a chance to equalize the match early in the second half. Forward Peter Waddy found space in the box in the 49th minute and fired a shot past Hall. However, the attempt careened off of the right post and rolled safely out of harm's way.
Just two minutes later, Brevard would add to its advantage. Chris Efenecy took advantage of a long throw-in opportunity, placing the ball all the way through the Bruin defense and right to Tenjhay, who fired it off of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net, extending BC's lead to 2-0 in the 51st minute.
A mere three minutes later, the Tornados would extend their advantage thanks to Mariduena's second goal of the contest. Mariduena played the ball off of the defender and chipped a shot over Bob Jones goalkeeper Isaac Landry. This strike put Brevard up 3-0, its largest advantage of 2018.
The Bruins would strike back, breaking up Hall's shutout bid with a 66th-minute dart Jesse Rush, who took passes from Karl Walker and Andrew Zhang, firing a shot from the top of the box into the left-upper 90 to put BJU on the board.
A physical final 25 minutes would ensue, characterized by near made shot attempts and incredible saves, giving the sizable crowd at Ives-Lemel Field a show to cap off Brevard's first home win of 2018.
Hall, who racked up nine saves in the contest to earn his fourth win in goal, now has totaled 117 saves in 2018, which places him second on the BC NCAA-era record books for saves in a single season. Hall only trails Jerry Hatsady (2008), who recorded 136 saves back in the 2008 season for BC Men's Soccer.
The Tornados return to the pitch on Friday, Oct. 26 for their final USA South Conference match of 2018. Brevard will battle LaGrange at Ives-Lemel Field at 2 p.m.
To follow along with all the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, please follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.
-30-