Box Score by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-Host Barton College erupted for three second-half goals and rode a strong defensive performance by a starting defensive line of Nick Ahlquist, Drew Williams, Jovan Gracia and Tyler Dew in shutting out the fifth highest scoring offense in NCAA Division II in Thursday night's 3-0 Conference Carolinas men's soccer victory over Pfeiffer University.
The No. 10 NSCAA Southeast Region ranked Bulldogs got goals from freshman Alex Blake, senior Dante De Luca and junior Kevin Strassburger in knocking off the fifth regionally-ranked Falcons.
Barton improved to 8-4 overall and 4-2 in the league with its third consecutive shutout. Freshman goalkeeper Jens Madsen Hordvik only needed to make three saves in net for the clean sheet.
Pfeiffer (9-4 Overall, 5-2 Conf.) had an eight-game win streak come to an end. The Falcons entered the game ranked fifth nationally averaging 3.0 goals per game but were held to just eight shots by the Bulldogs continually improving defense.
Barton held a commanding 20-8 shot advantage including doubling up Pfeiffer 8-4 in the first half. However, the two teams entered the second half scoreless. Senior Erik Pajunk took a game-high seven attempts including four in the first half. Pajunk curled a long shot just above the crossbar in the 10th minute and then was stopped by Pfeiffer sophomore goalie Nicolas Dulac in the 41st minute.
Blake finally put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard in the 58th minute with is first collegiate goal. Blake followed a hard-shot by De Luca that was saved by Dulac and was rewarded with an easy score off the rebound.
De Luca, who was credited with an assist on Blake's game-winner, finished off a three-point performance with a penalty kick goal in the 70th minute. De Luca drew the foul in the right side of the box before taking the attempt. The Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, then confidently converted on his third straight PK of the season with a hard shot to the left side.
Stassburger tacked on an insurance goal in the 87th minute. Stassburger created the change on his own by dribbling away from two Pfeiffer defenders before taking a long 25-yard shot that found the back twine in the upper-right corner.
De Luca has five goals on the season and Strassburger has three tallies.
Ahlquist, Williams, Gracia and Dew teamed up to hold sophomore Nathan Regis – the league's leader in goals (10), assists (7) and points (27) – to just two shots. Freshman Jaime Saij led the Falcons with three wayward shots.
Barton will have a chance to extend its win streak to a season-best four games when the Bulldogs visit Erskine College in Due West, S.C., on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
