Box Score by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-Reigning Conference Carolinas Player of the Week Dante De Luca netted the game-winning goal with a header on an Erik Pajunk corner kick to lift the Barton College men's soccer team to a 2-1 non-conference victory over Chowan University in a match-up of two regionally ranked programs Wednesday night at the Barton Soccer Field.
De Luca extended his point streak to five games – all Barton wins – with the go-ahead tally in the 79th minute. The Bulldogs defense then held Chowan without a shot over the final 20 minutes to preserve the win.
The NSCAA Southeast Region sixth-ranked Bulldogs improved to 10-4 overall and 6-1 at home. Barton will play its final regular season home game on Saturday against Conference Carolinas foe and ninth regionally-ranked Lees-McRae College during the College's Homecoming. The contest slated for a 3 p.m. start will also serve as Senior Day for the Bulldogs.
Chowan – ranked eighth in the Atlantic Region – was Barton's third consecutive victory over a team that is currently regionally ranked by the NSCAA. The Hawks slipped to 9-6 this season with their ninth straight loss to the Bulldogs since 2005.
Pajunk's assist on De Luca's winner was his second helper of the game. Pajunk was instrumental in Barton taking the initial lead on a senior Jonathan Rembecki goal just 7:34 into play. Pajunk made a crossing pass from the right corner that Rembecki immediately blasted into the back twine. Rembecki has scored in three of the Bulldogs last four games and has four total goals on the campaign.
Barton held a commanding 8-2 shot advantage in the first half but was unable to sneak any other shots past Hawks junior goalie Marco Lujan, who made four of his seven saves before the midway break including stops on two good looks by junior Kevin Strassburger.
Chowan shifted the momentum to start the second half and quickly tied the match at 1-all. Freshman Terell Williamson, the NCAA Division II national leader in total goals scored, produced the equalizer a mere 23 seconds into the period on a shot from the goal line on a nice crossing pass by classmate Barken Koeprueluegil.
Williamson has 18 goals in his first 15 collegiate matches.
The Hawks kept the pressure on early in the second half and have several chances to take the lead including a Koeprueluegil attempt just minutes later that hit the outside netting just wide of the right post. Chowan had one other great chance in the 59th minute but Williamson's shot was blocked and the ensuing rebound chance off the foot of freshman Franciso Ferrus also drifted just wide.
Barton sustained the rally as freshman goalie Jens Madsen Hordvik made two of his three saves in the second half before the BC regained the lead on a set piece. Hordvik improved to 7-2 in his rookie season.
The Bulldogs earned five of the game's six corner kicks and it was their fourth one taken by Pajunk next to the left sideline that proved costly for Chowan as it curled in nicely to a well-position De Luca to redirect into the goal with his head.
Pajunk (6G, 6A) and De Luca (7G, 4A) continue to remain tied for the team-lead in points at 18 apiece.
Barton took nearly twice as many shots as Chowan, 17-9, while committing fewer fouls, 19-15.
