BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University men's soccer team registered its third consecutive win with a 4-1 victory over Waynesburg (Pa.) University in non-conference action inside George Finnie Stadium, remaining unbeaten on the home turf.
Waynesburg (3-5) tied to catch BW (5-3-1) off guard to start and rifled the ball toward the goal on the opening kick, forcing senior Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference goalkeeper Brian Haviland (Grasonville, Md./Kent Island) to make his first save just four seconds into the game. After another couple of Waynesburg shots, BW got on the scoreboard first thanks to sophomore midfielder Bryce Posner (Aurora). Posner headed a corner kick from the reigning OAC Forward of the Year, two-time All-OAC and Academic All-OAC forward Danny Ruple (Berea/Berea-Midpark) in the 15th minute for the sophomore's second goal of the year. Less than three minutes later, Ruple added to the BW lead as he picked up a pass from junior midfielder Kurt Raney (Mentor) and netted his ninth goal of the year.
BW wasn't done scoring in the first half, however. Freshman midfielder Dylan Keeling (Rocky River) took back-to-back corner kicks and, on the second one, found junior Academic All-OAC midfielder Rafael Davalos (Kettering/Alter). Davalos let off a pass to junior Academic All-OAC forward Cole McDaniel (West Liberty/West Liberty-Salem), who gave BW a 3-0 lead heading into halftime.
After a goalie switch in the second half, Waynesburg went on the attack to test junior goalkeeper Patrick Mehal (Richfield/Revere) but Mehal was up to the challenge and recorded back-to-back saves. BW only added to the lead in the 60th minute when, following a Waynesburg foul, Raney took a free kick and sent the ball deep into the net for his first goal since the 2016 season. Waynesburg quickly countered and got itself on the scoreboard after a corner kick in the 63rd minute. BW had a couple of opportunities to get the goal back but the final two shots on goal were saved
Both Haviland and Mehal recorded three saves apiece in 45 minutes of action while Haviland picks up a career-high third win as the starter of the game.
BW will finish off non-conference action on Wednesday, Sept. 26, when the Yellow Jackets travel to take on Grove City (Pa.) College at 4 p.m.
