GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Guilford College men's soccer team hosted Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) foe Ferrum College at Appenzeller Field on Wednesday evening, battling to a scoreless 0-0 draw.
The Quakers moved to 3-9-1 overall and 0-6-1 in ODAC play, marking their first point earned since a 0-0 draw against Bridgewater on September 23, 2023. Ferrum, currently 11th in the conference, now sits at 4-9-1 overall and 1-5-1 in ODAC competition.
Chris Kelley (Lexington, N.C.) got the start in goal for Guilford securing four saves among the four shots he faced, securing his second clean sheet of the season, moving to 2-8-1 in net. Michael Arzillo moves to 1-2-1 for Ferrum, making eight saves among the 19 Quaker shot attempts.
Riley Copeland (West End, N.C.) spearheaded the Quakers' attack with four shots, including one on target.
Dani Santos (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) and
Ken Vasquez (Pittsboro, N.C.) contributed three shots each, with Santos placing two on frame.
Jake Carter (Madison, N.C.) registered two shots, with one on goal. Guilford spread the offensive load, as
Chris Hercules (Greensboro, N.C.),
Saeed Saavedra (Mount Airy, N.C.),
Elijah McGowen (Chesterfield, Va.),
Seth Meade (Maryville, Tenn.),
Jesse Guzman (Winston-Salem, N.C.),
Alex Harrison (Greensboro, N.C.), and
Lucas Wheeler (Locust, N.C.) each added a shot.
Jonathan Nicacio, Payton Rausch registered two shots on target for the Panthers. Mikko Church recorded one shot, completing Ferrum's five total shot attempts.
The match started quickly for Guilford, as the Quakers earned a free-kick opportunity in the opening minute. Hercules and
Blake Whittle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) lined up over the ball and ran a clever motion play, but Whittle's cross to the back post missed its target, resulting in a goal kick for Ferrum.
Guilford continued to apply pressure in the 16th minute when Santos, playing as the main playmaker, showcased his dribbling skills. He danced past four defenders just outside the 18-yard box before firing a shot that was saved by Arzillo.
Another great chance for GC came in the 21st minute. After some excellent buildup play in the midfield, Hercules played a well-timed through ball to Copeland, who let it roll between his legs for McGowen. The senior found himself in a one-on-one situation with the keeper, but Arzillo came up with another crucial save.
The second half saw more offensive pushes from Guilford, starting with a strong solo run by
Cameron Robinson (Garner, N.C.) in the 47th minute. He dribbled past multiple defenders and found Copeland, whose first-time shot narrowly missed the target, resulting in another goal kick for Ferrum.
In the 72nd minute, Copeland made a dangerous run down the right wing and whipped in a cross that was punched away by Arzillo. The loose ball found Vasquez at the edge of the box. The freshman connected a first time shot off his left foot but was rejected by Arzillo.
The physical nature of the match was reflected as Guilford amounted three yellow cards and thirteen fouls, while Ferrum recorded two yellow cards and eight fouls.
Guilford looks to play their final home match this Saturday, October 19 as they host ODAC foe, Shenandoah University. Kickoff is slated for 11 AM.
#GoQuakes
