Bowling Green, Ohio. The University of Evansville men’s soccer team kicked off their MVC season with a strong 3-0 win against Bowling Green, a rematch of last year’s tournament final. This victory was a big deal, signaling the team’s readiness for the challenges ahead.
Three Aces scored goals in the match. Pablo Calvete and Armon Haghighat both marked their first goals for the team. Andres Escudero scored again, marking his sixth goal in just five matches. Chase Ricker had a standout performance, assisting on two goals and becoming the first player this season to achieve multiple assists in a game.
Evansville set the tone early, scoring in the 10th minute. Ricker’s corner kick found Calvete at the far post for the opening goal. The rest of the first half saw Evansville hold onto that lead until just before halftime. In the 43rd minute, Nate Roberts made a great run and assisted Ricker, who crossed it to Haghighat. Haghighat shot it into the top right corner, doubling the Aces’ lead.
The second half saw Evansville maintain control. Escudero almost added to the score in the 74th minute when his shot hit the crossbar. However, he didn’t miss in the 80th minute, converting a great pass from Nacho Diaz-Caneja. With this goal, Escudero tied for the national lead for goals by a freshman, showing his amazing form lately.
Head Coach Robbe Tarver expressed pride in the team’s performance. “It’s a great win, especially on the road against a tough opponent,” he said. “We scored at the right moments and stayed solid defensively.”
Evansville dominated the match stats with 12 shots to Bowling Green’s 11 and a clear 6-1 advantage in shots on goal. Goalkeeper Michal Mroz made one save, contributing to the team’s third shutout of the year.
With this win, Evansville’s record improved to 3-2-5 overall and 1-0 in MVC play, marking their best start in conference play since 2022. They’ll face Western Michigan next Saturday at Arad McCutchan Stadium, and kick-off is at 6 PM.
This match highlights the team’s growth and resilience as they enter the MVC season. According to a recent survey by the NCAA, strong starts in conference play often lead to better postseason outcomes, so this victory could bode well for the Aces. Fans are excited, taking to social media to share their pride in the team and expressing hopes for continued success as the season unfolds.
