MISENHEIMER, N.C. - The Guilford men's soccer team (0-1-0, 0-0-0 ODAC) traveled to Pfeiffer University (1-0-0, 0-0-0 USA South) for their season opener on Tuesday evening, falling 5-1.
Despite 12 shots, eight of which were on goal, the Quakers were only able to find the back of the net once, in the second half, while the Falcons scored within 20 minutes of the first whistle and did not slow down, netting five throughout the match.
Xavier Porter (Belmont, N.C.) took the start in net for the Quakers, making five saves on 11 shots in the first 45 minutes, while Porter was in the net, the Falcons found the back of the net four times. Pfeiffer's starting keeper, Seth Limbert, stayed in net for the full 90 minutes of play, and made seven saves to help keep the lead on 12 shots, eight being on goal. Limbert earned the win in the season opener, moving to 1-0-0 on the 2026 season.
Despite eight shots on goal, the Quakers' offensive attempts would not fall until the 87th minute of play. While
Jake Carter (Madison, N.C.) led the Quakers with three shots,
Ken Vasquez (Pittsboro, N.C.) found the back of the net off a pass across the top of the box from
Talan Coogle (Lexington, N.C.) for the lone Quakers' goal of the game.
Chris Hercules (Greensboro, N.C) and
Jaykob Gabria (Copenhagen, Denmark) each put themselves on the board with two shots on goal a piece.
Wesley Hooker led Pfeiffer with six shots throughout the game, five of which were on goal, and two resulting in goals. Benji Landaverde added two goals on two shots for the Falcons.
The game started with multiple fouls drawn by the Quakers, as well as multiple shots, before the Falcons finished on their second shot of the game, taking the lead that they would never give up 18 minutes into the game. Just three minutes later, on as many shots, Pfeffier would score again to double the goal differential. Two more back-to-back goals in the 34th and 37th minutes of play extended the Falcons' lead to four goals.
The Quakers showed promise on attack in the second half, with three early corner kicks, but could not convert on any of the set pieces. Pfieffer ultimately netted their fifth goal in the 65th minute. GC broke through in the 87th minute when Vasquez found the back of the net, preventing the Falcons shutout late in the contest.
Guilford College men's soccer continues their season with their home opener on Saturday, September 5 against Greensboro College for a 12:00 PM match.
#GoQuakes
