Opening Night Victory for Men's Soccer
Aug 29, 2014
ELMHURST, Ill. - The University of Dubuque men's soccer used nearly the whole bench on Friday night with 20 student-athletes seeing playing time while enjoying the fall weather en route to a 3-1 opening night road victory. Brandon Wiley, Andrew Guelle and Gonzalo Hernandez all scored goals and teammate Leo Lenth captured the lone assist in the win.
UD returns nine starters and 19 letterwinners from last season's 6-11-1 team which finished fifth in the Iowa Conference with nine points and a 3-4-0 record. Up front, the Spartans return sophomore forward Hernandez, a 2013 all-Iowa Conference honorable mention, ranked second on the team with 12 points on four goals and four assists while launching a team-leading 51 shots. Two of Hernandez's goals were game-winners. He ranked sixth among IIAC players in shots per game (3.00) and eighth in shots. In IIAC games, Hernandez posted five points on a goal and three assists.
In the midfield, senior Brandon Wiley and sophomore Jon Hazelwonder return. Wiley ranked third on the team in scoring with eight points on three goals and two assists. He also accounted for two goals and an assist in league play. Hazelwonder, another 2013 all-IIAC honorable mention, recorded three points on one goal and one assist – all in conference games.
Senior defenders Peter Hager and Will Hirsch will hold down the back line for the Spartans, who limited opponents to 28 goals last season, including 11 in league play. Hager, a two-time all-IIAC second-teamer, assisted on one goal in 15 games last season. Hirsch was credited with a pair of shots in 16 games.
"There are high expectations for the University of Dubuque men's soccer program entering the 2014 season," commented coach Brad Johnson. "The Spartans will look to an experienced class of returners and an eager class of newcomers to continue our successful ways."
The Spartans are off to a quick start on one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the Iowa Conference. UD continues their season on Saturday, August 30 against UW-Superior 4:00 p.m.
