CANTON, Ohio – Freshman midfielder
Dylan Ruiz opened his collegiate career with two goals to lead the Roberts Wesleyan men's soccer team to a 3-1 win over Malone University. The last time the Redhawks won their season opener was in the 2015 season.
Ruiz got the Redhawks on the board first with a goal in the 25
th minute off the feed from junior
Karl McNulty. Ruiz controlled the long pass and beat the defender to score his first ever goal for Roberts.
Just four minutes later the Redhawks took a two goal advantage when junior
Terrell Spencer gathered a deflected ball and beat the Malone goalkeeper with a shot just inside the left post.
Malone found their way back in the game with a goal in the 32
nd minute. The goal was scored by Sam Condon and assisted by Daemon Thomas.
Ruiz netted his second goal of the game at the 66:01 mark to give the Redhawks a two goal cushion. The goal was assisted on by
Daniel Maxwell and
Dan Reger.
Roberts outshot the Pioneers 17-9 while getting 10 of those shots on goal compared to just three from the hosts. Starting goalkeeper
Ben Hastings played all 90 minutes in net making two saves in the process.
The Redhawks will stay in the Canton, Ohio area to take on Walsh University on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.