Box Score
by Kevin Buczek
BRISTOL, Tenn.-Sophomore Dante De Luca scored twice and junior Vasily Yakimkin only needed to make one save as the Barton College men's soccer team posted a 2-0 Conference Carolinas shutout over King College on Saturday afternoon at Parks Field.
De Luca increased his league-leading totals to eight goals and 10 points after his four-point performance that helped Barton improve to 3-5-1 overall and level its conference record to 2-2-0.
Barton will be looking to use the momentum from the road win in its next match when the Bulldogs take the pitch at defending Conference Carolinas champions Coker College in Hartsville, S.C., on Thursday at 7 p.m.
A yellow card by the winless Tornado (0-9 Overall; 0-4 Conf.) in the third minute provided Barton the opportunity to take the lead for majority of the match. Freshman Drew Williams took the ensuing free kick from midfield and De Luca was able to head the long volley into the back of the Tornado net just three minutes and 28 seconds after kickoff.
The hosts lone shot on goal came in the 15th minute off the boot of Daniel Grossi but Yakimkin came up with the save. The shutout marked the first clean sheet for Yakimkin in a Royal Blue and White uniform after he transferring to Barton from Bunker Hill Community College.
De Luca doubled up the Bulldogs lead just after halftime after Barton earned a corner kick. Freshman Daniel Alkmim curled in the cross that was initially headed by 6-foot-1 junior Archer Bane before De Luca headed in the second chance at the 48:48 mark.
Alkmim's helper on the double assist was his first collegiate point.
Barton took twice as many corner kicks, 8-4, as King and finished with a 9-7 shot edge. The Bulldogs also played more disciplined soccer after only being whistled for three fouls compared to 11 by the Tornado.
A couple of late shots on goal by De Luca and freshman Jovan Gracia nearly made the game a blowout but King netminder Cameron Sauro registered two of his three saves on those attempts.
"The Barton men's soccer team made the long road trip up to Bristol, Tenn., today and took care of business," said Barton sixth year head coach Matt Akins. "After a rough game this past Wednesday the leadership was outstanding today and Ricardo Oliveira really controlled the tempo of the match."
