JOHNSTOWN, PA. – Aaryn Massy is known more for helping prevent goals than scoring them, but the senior defender found a way to score when his Roberts Wesleyan College men's soccer teammates needed him to on Tuesday.
Massy volleyed home the game-winner in the 72^nd minute for his second career goal as the Redhawks defeated the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown 3-1 in a non-conference match to extend their winning streak to four.
Nathan Ferguson started the play by serving the ball into the box off a restart and Massy, who does move up front for some plays on corner kicks, calmly drilled it home.
"He took advantage of his opportunity," Roberts head coach Scott Reber said. "He had composure and put it in the back of the net."
Senior Dylan Ruiz continued his torrid pace for the Redhawks (6-4-1), scoring twice to bring his season total to 13. Ruiz opened the scoring in the 61^st minute off an assist from Jordan Sullivan and put the game away by converting an assist from Ollie Ardle in the 89^th minute.
Ruiz, who entered the game ranked third in NCAA Division II at 1.13 goals per game, now has 46 career goals and is within two of tying the Roberts' record of 48 set by Jaime Rivera between 1977 and 1980. Ruiz is also tied for fourth in the nation in goals. Three players are tied for first with 14.
"He's just a goal scorer," Reber said of the reigning East Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
Ruiz's first goal gave Roberts a 1-0 lead, but Pitt Johnstown scored the equalizer just over four minutes later. The Redhawks found a way to regroup and closed the match strong.
"That really kind of woke us up," Reber said.
Massy delivered the winner, his first goal since connecting on a header against Mercy on Oct. 17, 2018, just over seven minutes later. Ironically, Ruiz also scored two goals in that game, a 3-1 victory over a team that was ranked eighth in the country at the time.
Freshman Caleb DaSilva, the reigning ECC Defensive Player of the Week, made five saves while earning the victory in his third straight start in goal.
Roberts is now unbeaten in five matches.
"We're definitely trending in the right direction," Reber said. "I wouldn't say that we are where we want to be yet as there are still some improvements that can be made, but I am definitely pleased with the results."
The Redhawks return to action at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday with a home match against ECC foe D'Youville.