SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- The John Brown University men's soccer team (2-0-1) celebrated the 10th anniversary of First Friday Fútbol in style, defeating McPherson (Kan.), 6-1 on Friday night (Aug. 30) at Alumni Field, paced by freshman Alejandro Gallardo's hat trick which powered four unanswered goals in the second half.
After Gallardo's brace built a 2-0 lead for the Golden Eagles, McPherson (0-2-0) cut the hosts' lead to one in the 54th minute. Senior Kendall Acuna's header six minutes later jump-started a John Brown response that featured four goals in the final 31 minutes of play.
"We are proud of the team's performance through the full 90 minutes of play," head coach Samuel Estrada admitted after the team's second-straight home victory. "The team showed their quality, determination to win, and a desire to represent the Blue and Gold proudly.
"We will get some rest and try to play even better on Tuesday."
What's better than scoring your first collegiate goal?
𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬! 🎩 🎩 🎩
Posted by John Brown University Athletics on Saturday, August 31, 2024
Although sending 16 of its 27 shot attempts off target, the Golden Eagles pounded the Bulldog goal with 27 shots and held a 22-shot advantage.
Gallardo's goal in the 20th minute broke the match open when he ripped a 22-yard blast to the left side of goal after freshman Marcos Miranda slipped him a dream pass through a pair of McPherson defenders.
Although out-shooting the visitors 13-2 in the first half, the Golden Eagles carried just a 1-0 lead into the break. McPherson keeper Keito Takehara Jr. made three saves in the opening frame.
Senior Alanso Arrieta's corner service found Gallardo's head at the near post just five minutes into the second half, but McPherson cut the John Brown lead to one just four minutes later.
Another corner service converted six minutes later – this time at the back post – by Acuna, again from Arrieta, jump-started the finishing prowess of the Golden Eagles, as the Blue and Gold tallied its last three goals in the last 23 minutes of action.
Gallardo completed the hat trick after senior Jose Almanza's beautiful chip through the midfield sprang Gallardo through the Bulldog back line. With the keeper pressuring, the JBU striker maneuvered around the keeper and finished a ranging kick into the empty goal, ballooning JBU's lead to 4-1.
Junior Jose Carrero scored his first collegiate goal in the 76th minute of a pass through the box in a 2-on-1 situation. Carrero calmly buried the pass from senior Alejandro Ramirez to finish the impressive passing play.
Miranda also scored his first collegiate goal when he took matters into his own hands in the 88th minute by dispossessing a Bulldog in the midfield and unleashing a bending 40-yard bomb that hooked under the crossbar to complete the scoring.
Eight different Golden Eagles registered points in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
The Golden Eagles will complete their three-match homestand on Tuesday evening (Sept. 3) when in-state opponent Central Baptist (Ark.) visits Alumni Field for a 7 p.m. start time. The contest will be carried live on the SAC Sports Network.
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