Huntington takes it to Siena Heights 5-2

HUNTINGTON, Ind. – The Forester men's soccer team scored early and often Saturday afternoon to enjoy a 5-2 win over Siena Heights. The victory is HU's first of the season and avenges a 2-1 loss to the Saints last year.

Making his Forester debut, transfer Dilesh Patel's impact was immediate. The crafty playmaker from Bolton, England, assisted Higor Barbieri's first of two goals just over six minutes in for a lead that was never challenged. Sam Dolobaipu made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute when he ripped a shot from 25 yards out on a restart that stunned fans and players alike in King Stadium.  

Joao Ratinho put the finishing touches on the first half when he sent a screamer side netting ten minutes before intermission to give his team a commanding 3-0 lead. As it turned out, he also put the finishing touches on the second half with the game's final goal with six minutes to go.

Barbieri scored his second goal on a PK that sandwiched both of SHU's goals in the second frame. Play was lopsided with HU possessing most of the way as evidenced by outshooting their guests 17-4. Lawson and crew also claimed a 9-1 advantage in corner kicks.  

Dan Pellegrine and Luis Costa split time in frame for Huntington with Pellegrine earning the start and the win.

"This was a fantastic result," said Coach Russ Lawson. "I'm very pleased and proud of the boys. I thought our midfield was excellent today. We did a really nice job of keeping our shape and our connectivity with the front line and the combination play really created some excellent movement and scoring chances.

"Higor and Joao each scoring twice for us and the introduction of Dilesh into the line-up is exciting as we move forward. From the backline to the mid to the front line I thought we did a great job today and this is definitely a game we can build on."

The Foresters (1-0-2) have another game under the lights at King Stadium on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. against Michigan-Dearborn.

The Huntington University Foresters compete in 18 intercollegiate sports for men and women. In the past decade, Huntington has produced 154 NAIA All-America honors and 501 All-America Scholar Athlete honors. Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest.