Yellow Jackets Men’s Soccer Starts Season Strong

The Cedarville University men’s soccer team opened the 2014 season Thursday night, defeating Saint Joseph’s 4-0.

The Yellow Jackets wasted no time igniting their offense. Junior midfielder Zachary Harris headed in a cross from senior forward Connor Scott in the fourth minute. Scott was on the receiving end of a pass from junior Christian Alexander for a goal of his own nine minutes later. Joel Twinem added a third goal to Cedarville’s total off a pass from Ethan Shula, giving the Yellow Jackets a 3-0 lead heading into the half. Harris scored his second goal of the game in the fifty-fifth minute, extending the lead to four. Cedarville controlled the ball for the remainder of the game, spending most of the half in Saint Joseph’s third of the field.

As impressive as the Yellow Jackets were on the offensive end, their defense was equally dominant. They allowed just one shot on goal in their first shutout of the season. Last year the team set school records, allowing just 13 goals in 12 shutouts. The Yellow Jackets are the defending GMAC champions and were voted the favorites to repeat by a preseason poll of GMAC coaches.

Cedarville (1-0) goes on the road for their next two games, returning to the home field on Saturday, September 13 as the second half of a non-conference double header with the Cedarville women’s soccer team. The women kick off against Tiffin at 4:30 with the men playing Lock Haven at 7:00. The women host Ohio Dominican in their home opener Wednesday, September 10.

Tyler Greenwood is a sophomore mechanical engineering major and a sports reporter for Cedars.