September 8, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — Freed-Hardeman University soccer lit up the scoreboard on Thursday night, scoring four goals in the first half, before netting two more in the second to defeat the visiting Toppers of Blue Mountain (Miss.) College 6-1.

The Lions (2-1-0) got on the board at the 7:53 mark when Jack O'Riordan's corner kick ricocheted off of Sean Janiec before the boot of Ian Matheus put FHU up 1-0. It would be the first of O'Riordan's four points of the evening. 

Joao Pedro and Avery Flener teamed up at 10:01 when all 11 Toppers (1-3-0) were moving toward the offensive side of the pitch, but a quick steal from Joao set up a pass to the keeper's left where Flener was there to strike in his season's second goal. Blue Mountain would answer five minutes later when a free kick had a header bounce off of a Lion's head right into the path of a Topper striker.

Joao Pedro got on the board again at 21:07 when, at the top of the box, he passed down the right side where Jared Hill was patrolling the goal line. Shooting a pass across the box back to Joao, the Brazilian scored his campaign's second goal. O'Riordan scored his season's third goal at 34:59 when a give-and-go with Thabo Mahlaha in the goal box allowed the senior to score the Lions' fourth goal of the match.

The fifth goal for the Lions came at 59:00 when O'Riordan weaved his way in and out of Topper traffic until he was feet away from the keeper and sent a pass to his left through the six-foot box where the foot of Rodrigo Tostado Escarrega for the Mexico City native to score his first collegiate goal.

The Lions ended the affair at 75:59 when Flener was ready and waiting for a rebound after Maciej Gorzynski's shot bounced off the BMC keeper.

Blue Mountain could not get any offense going with their goal being the lone shot, allowing Omer Shifiris to pick up the victory.

Up Next

Freed-Hardeman will play host on Saturday, September 10, to the Evangel (Mo.) University Valor. Kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. will immediately follow the Lady Lions' match