ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan College men's soccer team capped a busy week with a gritty 3-1 victory over Malone University in a non-conference match on Saturday afternoon at Roberts Stadium.
Playing their third game in five days, the Redhawks (2-2) built a two-goal lead in the first 26 minutes and played through the 80-plus degree heat to earn their second victory in three games.
"I am proud of the guys and proud of the effort they put forth today," Roberts coach Scott Reber said. "We've had a lot of games in a short period of time."
Senior Alex Perez Vega opened the scoring for Roberts, curling a free kick from 20 yards over a wall and into the top left corner of the Malone net for his second goal of the season with 32:45 remaining in the first half.
"He's got a heck of a shot," Reber said.
"I have been practicing a little bit," Perez Vega said of his approach to set pieces. "I try not to think about it too much. I was just thinking about the sensation of scoring a goal and it happened."
He enjoyed the feeling of being part of another highlight-reel goal a few minutes later as junior Justin Robertson completed a beautiful combination play to stake the Redhawks to a 2-0 lead with 19:08 to play in the opening half.
 Dylan Ruiz started the play at the midfield line and found Tamas Nagy, who made a run and found Perez Vega. Perez Vega delivered a pass to a cutting Robertson at the top of the box. Robertson took a couple of strides and slid the ball past the keeper into the far corner.
"It was a nice buildup and a beautiful finish by J-Rob," Reber said.
"I saw the ball come through and I had a 1 v. 1 opportunity with the goalie and it was an easy slot to the left," Robinson said.
Robertson's hard work led to Roberts' third goal. He carried the ball deep into Malone territory and, surrounded by four defenders, dropped a pass to Ollie Ardle at the top of the box. Ardle sent a left-footed shot into the right corner of the net for his first goal as a Redhawk with 25:16 to play.
""He draws a lot of attention and he is a bit of a handful," Reber said of Robertson. "When you have that many guys on you, somebody is bound to be open."
Both Robertson and Ardle said the play is something that they have been working on.
"We discuss it in training," Ardle said. "Robertson always says that he is looking for me on the edge and he did well to keep the ball with four guys on him and thankfully he found me and found me well. Fortunately, I was able to get a good strike on it and get the goal."
The goal led to an inspired celebration with Ardle and his teammates.
"The personality (of the team) is starting to come out and I like what I am seeing," Reber said. "We've got a bunch of team players and it's nice to see them celebrating everyone's success."
 Malone scored its only goal in the 67^th minute when a shot deflected off a defender and into the net.
Senior Jared Gibbons recorded the win in goal for the Redhawks.
Roberts plays a non-conference game at Saint Anselm College on Wednesday before returning home to open East Coast Conference play at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday against Saint Thomas Aquinas College.