DULUTH, Minn. — The UW-River Falls men's soccer team defeated St. Scholastica, 6-4, in a high-scoring non-conference road match on Tuesday, Oct. 8, to mark its third straight victory.
The freshman forward duo of Landon Christiansen and Ben Harris led the way for UWRF, as each forward recorded two goals. The victory marked the most goals scored in a game for the UWRF men's soccer program, while improving the team's record on the season to 5-6.
The first half saw a high volume of goals by both teams, as a two-minute span midway through included a spree of four goals. The Saints opened the scoring in the third minute with a goal from Lanji Atanga assisted by David Lopez.
UW-River Falls found its stride in the 15th minute, scoring back-to-back goals. Landon Christiansen got the Falcons on the board, out-running the St. Scholastica back line, faking out the goalkeeper, and putting the ball in the back of the net — Sorel Richardson and Gabriel Abad Lobo assisted on the goal. Less than a minute later, Victor Vancauteren gave UWRF a 2-1 lead, scoring off assists from Christiansen and Kellen Richardson.
St. Scholastica responded quickly in the 16th minute, scoring back-to-back goals off the foot of Gabriel Marchesoni to retake a 3-2 lead. In the 20th minute, freshman Ben Harris delivered a long-shot goal from outside the box that dropped into the top right corner of the net for UWRF's third goal of the day. The Falcons went into halftime tied with the Saints 3-3.
The Falcons took the lead early in the second half, as Harris scored his second goal of the day to put UWRF ahead 4-3. St. Scholastica mishandled a clearance, which Harris capitalized off and scored from outside the box for his sixth goal of the year.
Sorel Richardson extended UWRF's lead to 5-3 in the 64th minute, scoring his first goal as a Falcon off a deep shot from roughly 30 yards out that struck perfectly into the right side of the net. Vancauteren assisted on the goal.
In the 76th minute, Christiansted added his second goal of the day, giving UWRF a commanding 6-3 lead. St. Scholastica managed a goal in the 78th minute by Ted Barker, but the Falcons held their 6-4 lead through the final whistle to finalize their third consecutive victory.
The two-goal game by Harris marked the third time this season that the freshman has recorded a multi-goal game. Christiansen's two-goal performance increased his season total to nine, while his two assists today moved his points total on the year to 23.
Up next, UWRF is set to play its second of four consecutive road games. The Falcons will travel to Stevens Point, Wis. to face UW-Stevens Point at 3 p.m. on Oct. 12.
