SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — Ivan Gelado Chavala scored twice, including a second-half insurance goal, while goalkeeper
Harry Jackson turned away 10 shots as Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College men's soccer earned a 3-1 River States Conference victory over Midway University on Sunday afternoon at McMahon Field.
The Pomeroys improved to 5-8-2 overall and 2-3 in RSC play, while Midway fell to 7-4-2 overall and 1-3 in conference action.
SMWC overcame early pressure from the Eagles before striking twice in a span of just over six minutes late in the opening half. The Pomeroys then answered a Midway goal with a second-half tally to secure the two-goal victory.
Midway tested Jackson almost immediately, forcing the SMWC goalkeeper into a save on a shot from Miles Ezell just 1:21 into the contest. Jackson followed with another stop on a header from Nahuel Cruz in the fourth minute and denied Noah Gardner in the 12th minute to keep the match scoreless.
The Pomeroys began finding their attacking rhythm behind several early opportunities.
Marc Valderrama forced Midway goalkeeper Landon Sorrell into a save in the 14th minute, while
Jacobo Galvez put another attempt on target in the 29th minute.
SMWC broke through at the 30:57 mark when
Vinicius Steger Pires found the back of the net off an assist from
Ethan Johnson, giving the Pomeroys a 1-0 advantage.
Just over six minutes later, Gelado Chavala doubled the lead. Galvez provided the assist on the goal at 37:21, putting SMWC ahead 2-0.
The Eagles responded before halftime when George Spencer converted a feed from Rhys Dickson at 42:00, cutting the Pomeroys' advantage to 2-1 entering the break.
Midway came out aggressively in the second half, creating several early opportunities. Jackson denied Brayden Leger in the 48th minute and stopped a header from David Castilleios in the 54th minute to preserve the one-goal lead.
With the Eagles pushing forward, SMWC capitalized on another attacking opportunity in the 60th minute.
Gelado Chavala forced Sorrell into a save at 59:30 before converting the ensuing opportunity just nine seconds later. His unassisted goal at 59:39 restored the Pomeroys' two-goal cushion at 3-1.
Midway continued applying pressure throughout the final half-hour, but Jackson and the SMWC defense held firm.
The Eagles generated 14 second-half shots, including attempts from Saleh Ekuchi, Ezell and Spencer that required saves from Jackson. The SMWC goalkeeper made another key stop against Spencer in the 82nd minute before denying an Elijah Orren header with just nine seconds remaining in regulation.
Gelado Chavala led the Pomeroys offensively with two goals on six shots, including five on target. Steger Pires added a goal on two attempts, while Johnson and Galvez each recorded an assist.
Valderrama contributed three shots, including one on goal, as SMWC finished with 14 total attempts and eight shots on frame.
Jackson delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, playing all 90 minutes and recording 10 saves, including six in the second half.
Midway held a 23-14 advantage in total shots and an 11-8 edge in shots on goal. The Eagles also earned six corner kicks compared with five for the Pomeroys.
Spencer paced Midway with seven shots and its lone goal, while Sorrell finished with five saves.
The victory marked SMWC's second consecutive win following Thursday's 3-1 road triumph over Brescia University.
Up Next
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods returns to McMahon Field on Sunday, Oct. 25, when the Pomeroys host Indiana University Columbus in River States Conference action.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.
Game Notes
- Final: SMWC 3, Midway 1
- Records: SMWC (5-8-2, 2-3 RSC); Midway (7-4-2, 1-3 RSC)
- Goals: Steger Pires (30:57), Gelado Chavala (37:21, 59:39)
- Assists: Ethan Johnson, Jacobo Galvez
- Goalkeeper: Harry Jackson — 10 saves, one goal allowed
- Shots: Midway 23, SMWC 14
- Shots on goal: Midway 11, SMWC 8
- Corner kicks: Midway 6, SMWC 5
- Attendance: 150
