MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Christian Brothers University men's soccer (6-3-3, 3-1-3 GSC) secured a dominant 4-0 victory over nationally-ranked No. 15 Auburn University-Montgomery (6-3-5, 4-3-2 GSC) on Friday night at the AUM Soccer Complex. With the win, CBU lept AUM in the league standings to move into a tie for third place with Mississippi College. The Bucs have now gone unbeaten in their last seven matches. 

Coach's Remarks

"I'm absolutely buzzing for the lads tonight," exclaimed Head Coach Enda Crehan. "They have worked their socks off all week and stuck to the game plan. We will pick them up again tomorrow and go again."

First Half

The game kicked off with CBU asserting early control, despite several fouls that slowed the initial momentum. AUM fought back with aggressive defensive play, resulting in a total of seven fouls committed by the home team in the first half. At 28:28, CBU's Phillip Jauch received a yellow card, signaling the start of a physically intense period in which both sides battled hard for possession.

CBU's breakthrough came at the 36th minute, when Russell Brown found the back of the net with his first goal, sparking an offensive surge. Merely 38 seconds later, Brown scored again, doubling CBU's lead in a quick succession that stunned the AUM defense. By halftime, CBU had put two goals past AUM goalkeeper William Blake, putting the Bucs in a commanding position with a 2-0 lead.

Second Half

CBU continued to apply pressure in the second half, with Brown completing his hat-trick in the 70th minute. His third goal not only demonstrated his exceptional skill but also marked his ninth goal of the season, showcasing his critical role in CBU's offensive lineup. The CBU team maintained disciplined ball control and tight formations, effectively countering AUM's attempts to push forward.

AUM increased its offensive output in the second half, firing six shots, three of which were on target. However, CBU's goalkeeper, Vicent Sanchis Olmedo, was up to the task, making crucial saves that thwarted AUM's best efforts. Olmedo's performance was pivotal in maintaining CBU's shutout and securing his fourth clean sheet of the season. Despite their intensified efforts, AUM was unable to penetrate CBU's resilient defense, which successfully fended off corners and countered every offensive attempt.

Key Performances

Russell Brown was the clear standout, with three goals that underscored his finishing ability and his knack for finding space amid AUM's defense. His hat-trick performance, complemented by an assist from Alexander Blanche, solidified CBU's control and made him the undisputed man of the match. This was Brown's second hat trick of the season. Blanche's goal in the 80th minute further extended CBU's lead, leaving AUM with little chance for a comeback.

Vicent Sanchis Olmedo's stellar goalkeeping performance was central to CBU's 4-0 victory over AUM. Olmedo's impact went beyond the standard clean sheet; he made three critical saves across the match that stifled AUM's offensive pushes, especially in the second half, where AUM fired six shots, three on target.

Looking Forward

CBU's decisive 4-0 victory over AUM highlighted their offensive depth, defensive strength, and disciplined play. With this win, CBU improved to a record of 6-3-3 and further established their presence in the league. The Bucs will have the opportunity to solidify their place near the top of the table with a road match against Montevallo (6-5-2, 4-4-0 GSC) on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. next.