MONTEVALLO, Alabama- The Christian Brothers University Bucs scored a season-high seven goals as they ran away for a 7-2 win at Montevallo Thursday night, clinching a berth in next week's Gulf South Conference Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Bucs (7-5-3, 6-1-3 GSC) started the game off with a bang with Maxi Schwoche (Sprockhoevel, Germany/) scoring from a header coming off of a corner kick from James Raptis (London, England/Finchley Catholic) in the 2nd minute.
- Xavi Lao (Barcelona, Spain/Escola Pia Sabadell) followed with a quick unassisted goal of his own in the 3rd minute.
- The Falcons (5-10-0, 4-6-0) got on the board in the 14th minute when Arad Lev fed Liam Moore for a goal.
- Lao's scoring continued in the 34th minute coming from a cross from Kyle Bellu (Aberdeen, Scotland/Mackie Academy).
- Filippo Peri rounded out the scoring in the first half with a goal in the 37th minute.
- Lao completed his hat trick in the 47th minute with an unassisted goal.
- Raptis scored one for himself in the 53rd minute bringing the Bucs' lead to 5-2.
- Schwoche decided he wasn't done scoring for the night when he got a nice pass from Bellu which led to his second goal of the night in the 66th minute.
- Felipe Rodrigues (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/Colegio Podio) closed out the scoring for the game with a goal coming off of a pass from Maximillian Galizzi (Puerto Madryn, Argentina/Escuela de la Costa) in the 66th minute.
KEY STATS:
- The Bucs evenly shot with the Falcons 14-14 for the game, but the Falcons held a 10-9 advantage in shots on goal.
- Lao finished the match with a hat trick and has scored in 6 consecutive games. The hat trick was the first of his career and the 11th in school history.
- Schwoche finished the game with 2 goals.
- Bellu finished the match with 2 assists.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Bucs continue on the road Saturday at 4 p.m. as they take on conference foe Auburn Montgomery in their final game of the regular season
With the win, the Bucs clinched a berth in the GSC Tournament. CBU will be the No. 4 or No. 5 seed, depending on the result of Saturday's game at AUM. Spring Hill (30 points) has clinched the top seed, while West Florida (25) is the No. 2 seed and Alabama Huntsville (22) is the No. 3 seed. Lee (20) is in fourth place, followed by CBU (18) in fifth. West Alabama (16) and Mississippi College (13) are still alive for the No. 6 seed. With a win Saturday, CBU would be the No. 4 seed and host Lee Tuesday night in the GSC Quarterfinals, while they would be the No. 5 seed and play at Lee if they lose or draw Saturday.