Fulton, Mo., March 21, 2021 – The Westminster College Blue Jays men's soccer team was at home again Sunday afternoon looking to find the win column for the first time this season. The Blue Jays put together a solid game and continued their trend of putting a ton of pressure on their opponents. The constant pressure paid off with a 1-0 victory over the Blueboys of Illinois College. The win improved the Blue Jays record to 1-1-1 overall and 0-1-1 in the SLIAC.
The two teams battled through the first half in a scoreless tie. The Blue Jays outshot the Blueboys 6-5 in the first half. Blueboy goalkeeper Caleb Fink recorded two saves on two Blue Jays shots on goal. The best chance the Blue Jays had in the first half was in the 15th minute when senior Justin Gerdiman took the ball around the right side and launched a shot that Fink was able to get low and make the save on. The Blue Jays starting keeper was MacMurray College transfer Brantley Estes who would face one shot on goal and make the save to keep the game scoreless.
The second half saw more pressure by the Blue Jays but the Illinois College defense and second half keeper Raul Rubalcava would continue to keep the game scoreless. Likewise, the Blue Jay defense got even stingier in the second half holding the IC offense without a shot on goal in the second half. That made second half Blue Jay keeper Conner Benefield's job easier between the pipes. He and Estes combined for the shutout.
The Blue Jays would finally break through in the 89th minute and in spectacular and dramatic fashion. Noah Pierce, another MacMurray College transfer who was getting his first action of the season, took a pass from freshman Francois Moua in the middle of the field from 30 yards out on the right side and sent a rocket over Rubalcava's head inside the top left corner of the goal setting off a wild celebration. The Blue Jays would hold on for the last minute to make Pierce's heroics hold up for the 1-0 victory.
Justin Gerdiman led the Blue Jays with three shots followed by Patrick Wisnewski and Jordan Kahrhoff with two shots each. The Blue Jays outshot the Blueboys 12-5 and also took more corners 7-2 in the win.
The Blue Jays will return to action on Tuesday when they will travel to conference foe Greenville University. Kick off is set for 3:00 p.m.
