Box Score by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-The Barton College men's soccer team scored the final three goals including the game-winner by sophomore Erik Pajunk to complete an impressive 3-2 Southeast Region victory over visiting Catawba College on a chilly Saturday evening.
Freshman Jonathan Rembecki (Fuquay-Varina, N.C.) and the sophomore duo of Ricardo Oliveira and Pajunk – who are both from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – all scored as Barton improved to 4-1 overall. Barton is a perfect 3-0 against South Atlantic Conference (SAC) opposition.
The Indians built a 2-0 advantage on a pair of second-half goals by sophomore Corey Faughnan (Jacksonville, N.C.) before falling to 2-4 on the season. Faughnan scored his third and fourth goals of the year in the 50th and 59th minutes.
Rembecki started the Bulldogs comeback in the 62nd minute, finishing off a play assisted by sophomore Danilo Matos (Lauro de Freitas, Brazil). Oliveira then scored the equalizer in the 78th minute on a corner kick by Pajunk.
The Rembecki and Oliveira tallies were the first collegiate goals for both Bulldogs.
Pajunk completed the comeback when he was awarded a penalty kick with 2:03 left. Sophomore goalkeeper Evan Harvey (Apex, N.C.) made the save on the penalty kick but Pajunk took advantage of a rebound on the initial shot with an accurate second chance that found the back of the net. Pajunk's three point performance increased his totals to four goals, seven assists, and 15 points.
"The Barton boys found another way to win tonight against a strong team that got up two goals on us," said Barton fifth year head coach Matt Akins. "We had several chances to put pretty goals in the back of the net throughout the game and especially in the first half but it was just not our night for this. However the boys dug deep and found a way to win which was punctuated by Erik's game winner that came off his missed PK by slamming in the rebound."
Barton held a commanding 21-11 shot advantage but Harvey made eight saves to keep the Indians in contention. The Bulldogs were awarded 12 corner kicks compared to just two by Catawba but were unable to score on any of the quality chances until the 12th try that led to Oliveira's strike.
Senior goalie Brian Riesenberg (Fort Thomas, Ky.) picked up the win protecting Barton's goal with five saves including a couple diving stops in the first half. Riesenberg suffered a cut on his forehead early in the second stanza when he went to punch a ball out of the box. Riesenberg had to leave play for a couple minutes to get the cut bandaged up and Catawba took advantage of the opportunity as Faughnan ripped a long shot by sophomore Dalton Bauer (Mooresville, N.C.) and inside the right goalpost just moments later. Riesenberg did allow one goal upon his return but then settled down as Barton rallied.
Catawba junior Spencer Preston (Estero, Fla.) and senior Deon Cuffie-Joseph (Arima, Trinadad and Tobago) were each credited with one assist on Faughnan's goals.
Barton returns to Conference Carolinas play with a showdown at Pfeiffer University (Misenheimer, N.C.) on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
