Head coach Anthony Plá earned his first win and Stephen Sangster (Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago/Kennett) scored his first career goal as the Lincoln University men's soccer team (1-2) defeated Chowan University (0-8), 3-2, Saturday at Lions Field.
“It’s inspiring,” said Joseph Forde (Siparia, Trinidad & Tobago, Bensalem), who had an assist on the game’s first goal and scored the eventual game winner. “We’ve been down the last two years but to do this at home, hopefully we can do more.”
The Lions immediately showcased their rejuvenated offense. Just 2:19 into the game, Fordvhad a corner kick and found Adedotun Lateef Osho (Lagos, Nigeria/Plainsfield), which was promptly booted into the back of the net.
Undeterred, the Hawks responded a half hour later when Caleb Blaize was the beneficiary of brilliant passes from Brandon Chambers and Abasse Miette and capitalized on the easy-tip in.
The 1-1 game continued into the second half until the 50th minute when Shawn Huey's (Jamaica, Evander Childs) free kick from 25 yards out hit the cross bar and ricocheted right to Sangster, a senior midfielder, who deflected the ball through traffic past the goal line for his first career goal.
Sangster, a two-sport athlete also on the tennis team, is regarded by teammates as one of its motivational forces through his charismatic personality. Immediately following the goal, he broke toward the bench and was met with long-overdue adulation.
“He brings so much spirit,” Forde said. “His goal definitely uplifted the whole team.”
Shortly after in the 61st minute, the offensive outburst continued when Brian Williams Matthews Arlington, Va./Mount Vernon) worked the ball upfield and found the ball in transition and directed a cross to Forde in the middle of the field, who tucked it under the left arm of a diving CU goal for a 3-1 LU edge.
The offensive awakening marked the most goals Lincoln scored in a game since the Lions tallied four versus Barton College on Nov. 1, 2008.
Backed by the acrobatic and sure hands of Andre Wilkinson (St. Michael's Barbados/William Grady) in goal, Lincoln was able to hold on despite being out shot on the day, 22-14. Wilkinson had 10 saves, several in point-blank range that kept the game within range. The Hawks would add a harmless goal in the 89th minute, but the Lions held on, prompting the Gatorade bath.