Ravens Take Down Wasps in Raven/Quaker Classic

The Anderson University men's soccer team secured a 3-1 victory over the Wasps of Emory & Henry College in Saturday's Raven/Quaker Classic contest.

The game, which was moved from the AU Soccer Field to Macholtz Stadium due to rain, started off hot for both teams.

The Ravens (1-1) got the game started with a pass from Matthew Murray (Indianapolis, Ind. / Pike) to Usman Kamara (Indianapolis, Ind. / Franklin Central) who fired a shot from 30 yards out to chip the Wasps goalkeeper just one minute and thirty-five seconds into the game to take a 1-0 lead. It didn't take long for the Wasps (0-1) to answer though. Emory & Henry followed with a goal of their own by Ryan Boyette at 3:22 to tie the game up 1-1.

The game continued to be a battle from both sides, with the Ravens taking multiple shot opportunities throughout the remainder of the half. Between the 4^th and 43^rd minute the Ravens outshot the Wasps 8 to 2. In the 44^th minute, Rico Mandolini (Perrysville, Ind. / Covington Community) broke the tie with a goal off a Drew Vaughn (Beavercreek, Ohio / Beavercreek) free kick.

Heading into halftime the Ravens led the Wasps 2-1.

Second half action continued to see a battle from both sides, with the Ravens and Wasps both taking their opportunities at goal. Although the chances were coming, both teams struggled to get past the opposing teams goalkeeper.

All of that came to an end though in the 81^st minute. After a shot from Matthew Murray was deflected off a defender, senior Drew Sonnefeldt (Lisle, Ill. / Lisle) was able to send the ball into the back of the net and secure a 3-1 lead for the Ravens.

Both sides would get another chance on attack, but the Ravens were able to hold off the Wasps to secure their first victory of the 2021 season.

"I am very proud of the boys response after our opener," Coach Scott Fridley said. "Emory & Henry is a solid team with a lot of great athletes.  We have a lot of youth and this was a complete performance from everyone.  Our shape was much better [on Saturday]. Hopefully we can take this into [Sunday]. It is always good to win on Parents Day. I am most proud of the boys response to the stress of changing venues in a tight time period before kickoff.  They responded well to the change to turf as the grass became unplayable. God Bless Go Ravens!"

Usman Kamara and Rico Mandolini's goals were their first goals in their college careers as Ravens.

Dalton Grubbs (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) led the Ravens with four intercepts while Usman Kamara paced the Ravens with three steals.

Anderson outshot Emory & Henry 18 to 9, with seven shots on goal versus four. Ravens goalkeeper Danny Moro-Medina (Goshen, Ind. / Goshen) collected three saves throughout the game.

The Ravens now turn around and face off against the Student Princes of Heidelberg University (2-0) tomorrow to conclude the Raven/Quaker Classic with a winner-take-all matchup. Kick-off is set for 2PM at AU Soccer Fields.