Bossman Leads Ravens with Hat Trick of Assists

Anderson University men's soccer freshman Jordan Bossman (Gahanna, Ohio/Westerville North) led the Ravens with a hat trick of assists as Anderson charged past Berea College with a 4-1 victory on Tuesday at Macholtz Stadium.

The Ravens (3-5) and the Mountaineers (1-5-1) closed out the first half with a 1-1 tie. Anderson pulled away with three goals in the second half.

Anderson found the scoreboard in the 18th minute as Drew Vaughn (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek) found the back of the net off a free kick. During the 22nd minute, Julio Vargas-Aguilera delivered a game-tying goal for Berea off a free kick. The match remained tied for the rest of the half.

"We struggled mightily in the first half with turnovers and not being able to keep the ball," Coach Scott Fridley said. "They made it difficult to penetrate the final third of the field. We are fouling way too much to keep success. We have to do a better job getting goal-scoring opportunities in the beginning of the match. An early goal may take some pressure off our shoulders."

Anderson's offense sparked in the second half. During the 51st minute, Victor Silva (Paramount, Calif./St. Matthias Catholic) headed in a cross from Jaxon Gillig (Carmel, Ind.). Gillig and Bossman each provided assists. During the 69th minute, Caleb Opoku (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington) sent a pass to Stephen Fite (Cincinnati, Ohio/Homeschool). Anderson received a favorable deflection from Berea's defense and Fite gave the Ravens a 3-1 lead. Opuku and Bossman were credited with assists. During the 82nd minute, Bossman booted a pass forward to Rico Mandolini (Perrysville, Ind./Covington Community). Mandolini utilized the space from Bossman's pass and Mandolini sent a cross to Sam Rowlison (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) and Rowlison finished the goal. Mandolini and Bossman each tallied assists.

"We had a good balanced attack in the second half. We needed that for our confidence. I am proud of the boys for sticking to it and working through our first-half issues."

The Ravens also got to utilize the opportunity to play deeper into their lineup.

"We got to play a lot of guys. Getting more experience for our young team is critical."

Bossman provided three assists. Vaughn, Silva, Fite and Rowlison each notched goals. The Ravens also received assists from Gillig, Pouku and Mandolini.

Opoku led the Ravens with four intercepts while Luke Burkle (Muncie, Ind./Delta) paced the Ravens with two steals.

Danny Moro-Medina (Goshen, Ind./Goshen) saw six shots and came up with five saves. Josh Brown (Thompson's Station, Tenn./Columbia Academy) saved the only shot he faced.

Fite registered five shots and one shot on goal. Usman Kamara (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) contributed three shots and one shot on goal. Rowlison and Silva each turned in two shots and one shot on goal. Dalton Grubbs (Carmel, Ind./Carmel), Matthew Murray (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) and Vaughn each put their only shot on frame. Caleb Gonser (Terre Haute, Ind./Terre Haute South) added a shot.

The Ravens outshot the Mountaineers 16-10. Both teams tallied seven shots on goal apiece.

Anderson takes on Trine University (4-3) on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the AU Soccer Fields.