Lions blank Eutectics in season opener

HENDERSON, TN – It was the kickoff to the 2024 Men's Soccer season on Saturday afternoon for the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy. The Eutectics visited Freed-Hardeman at the Josh Riley Soccer Complex and suffered an 8-0 shutout loss to fall to 0-6-1 all-time against the Lions.

It was a rough game all the way around for the visitors as they were outshot 23-3 including 12-1 in the first half. Wyatt Taylor made his Eutectics debut in net and was able to keep things scoreless better than midway through the first half. Noah Setterberg opened the scoring at 27:23 and was the first of seven different goal scorers for the Lions. Freed-Hardeman led 3-0 at intermission after goals from David Okantey and Vicente Georgi.

Things did not get much better in the second half for the Purple and Gold. After a scoreless first 12:55 of the second half, Brandon Carrillo began a stint for FHU of five goals over a twenty-minute stretch. Taylor was replaced by Ivan Maldonado in net at the 68:32 mark with the Lions leading 6-0. Maldonado surrendered three goals in a 7:58 span as Okantey's second closed the scoring as FHU blanked the Eutectics. Along with his goal to open up the scoring in the second half, Carrillo also had a pair of assists on the day. Maldonado made one save on four shots while Taylor made four shots on nine. Orlando Whiteside made saves on the only two UHSP shots on goal in the match.

UHSP (0-1) opens the home portion of their schedule in their next contest when they entertain the St. Mary Spires on Saturday. Kickoff from the Lou Fusz Soccer Complex in Maryland Heights is set for 1:00pm as part of a men's and women's doubleheader. The Eutectic women play host to Brescia prior to the men's game at 11:00a.