ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Knowing they needed a win to extend their season, Roberts Wesleyan University men's soccer coach Scott Reber had a simple message for the Redhawks at halfime of Tuesday night's National Christian College Athletic Association Midwest Region match against Redeemer University.
"Relax and just play," Reber said.
And play they did.
Roberts scored five goals in the second half to pull away for a 6-2 victory on a snowy evening on Roberts' turf field.  The win advances Roberts in NCCAA play and the Redhawks are awaiting details on their next match.
The wintry conditions did not cool down Roberts dynamic duo of senior Dylan Ruiz and junior Tamas Nagy. Ruiz registered three goals and three assists and Nagy notched two goals and two assists to make sure the Redhawks (8-4-6) would play at least one more game.
"It's amazing," said Ruiz, who has 13 goals and eight assists this season. "A lot of teams have finished their seasons and a lot of players have finished their careers. We are grateful to have the opportunity to stay together and keep playing."
Nagy, who is coming off a three-goal performance in the East Coast Conference semifinals, opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Ruiz sent a through ball into Nagy, who struck an 18-yard shot from the top of the box.
The two connected again early in the second half after Hunter Salisbury broke up a play in the Roberts end. Salisbury played a ball ahead for Nagy, who made a strong run toward goal before crossing it to a sliding Ruiz for the finish.
"We really have a good connection between us," said Nagy, who has 13 goals and nine assists this season. "It's not just us, it's the whole team. It's the keeper, the defense, the midfielders and the forwards. We have a really good connection on and off the field. We respect each other and are great friends. Maybe that is the key as to why we perform well."
Redeemer scored in the 52^nd minute to make it 2-1 before Justin Robertson scored his seventh of the season and the eventual winner off an assist from Ruiz in the 62^nd minute.
Redeemer made it 3-2 in the 64^th minute, but Nagy found Ruiz again in the 67^th minute to make it 4-2. Ruiz, who holds the Roberts record for career goals with 63, converted a penalty kick in the 72^nd minute and then fed Nagy for an easy goal after a misplay in the box for the final margin.
Ruiz and Nagy have accounted for seven goals and seven assists in Roberts' last two games.
"They have really developed a nice chemistry together and they feed off of that," Reber said.
Jared Gibbons made four saves for Roberts, which hopes to extend its postseason run with a trip to Florida for the NCCAA nationals.
"We don't mind the snow and the cold," Reber said. "We could be inside where it's warm, but that would mean that our season is over. We'll take this any day."