Allen nails game-winner; Men's Soccer tops Gents for 3rd-straight Home Shutout
IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas men's soccer team (5-4-1, 4-1-1 SCAC) claimed its fourth-straight home win of the campaign, on a 1-0 final versus Centenary College of Louisiana (2-8, 1-5 SCAC) on Friday afternoon. Dallas has won its past two in conference play and blanked its opponents in four of the past five matches. The last three final tallies at Crusader field have been 1-0.
Both teams played to a scoreless draw in the first half. The Crusaders made a few critical stops to keep the match 0-0. One instance was a free kick at the top of the box by Centenary's Michael Pullano that was blocked by the UD defenders in the 32nd minute.
Junior Tino Gamueda (Lubbock, Texas) made one save in the opening stanza, as the Gents were limited to just three shots in the game.
Dallas took control of possession most of the second half, and were waiting to capitalize on an opportunity. That mark occurred in the 86th minute as senior Colton Allen (Roanoke, Texas) came through on a final touch inside the left corner of the box to lift UD ahead for the eventual game-winner. It was the forward's 10th career goal and first game-winner of the season. He has two overall on the year now.
Coming up with the assists were sophomore A.J. Zaugg (Dallas, Texas) and freshman Andrew Ciancone (Houston, Texas). Zaugg claimed his second of the year, was the final cross pass from deep on the side of the field that found Allen's foot. Ciancone also connected on the previous pass of the play and now is in sole possession for second in points with five this fall.
"It was good for Colton to get the match winner, he has been playing well and has deserved a goal," head coach David Hoffmann stated. "We made a few adjustments to the midfield angles and counter pressing by the forwards that paid off in the second half."
The Crusaders boasted a 15-0 shooting edge in the final 45 minutes of play, and outdid Centenary 22-3 overall. UD launched six shots on goal and forced nine corner kicks compared to one by the Maroon and White.
Allen led all players with a game-high seven shots and four shots on goal. A trio of Crusaders attempted at least three shots with sophomore Luke Schwarz (Tucson, Ari.) contributing four, and junior Stephen Gahan (Vancouver, Wash.) and Ciancone tallying three apiece.
Gamueda notched the win (5-4-1) with his fourth shutout and has kept opponents scoreless in the past 159:35 minutes.
Centenary was led by Pullano with two shots and one on goal. Joshua Shelton also attempted a shot. Rylan Whan (2-7) was saddled in the net for the loss with five saves against six shots faced. His lone blemish in 90 minutes was the Allen goal.
UP NEXT
Dallas concludes the home weekend on October 4 versus Austin College. Opening kickoff is slated around 2 p.m. following the UD women's soccer game.