PHOENIX --- The Park University Gilbert men's soccer team (5-4-3, 4-1-2) defeated the Soka University of America Lions (4-6-1, 4-4-0) at home by a score of 3-0, Saturday night at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, Ariz.
The Buccaneers, led by junior forward Monty Almaliky's two-goal outing, extend their winning streak to three games. They remain in the Great Southwest Athletic Conference playoff picture, as they currently sit in third place of the GSAC standings. Park-Gilbert also moves to 4-1-1 all-time against Soka.
The Bucs took a 2-0 lead into the halftime break. A foul inside the box led to a successful penalty kick from Almaliky in the 21st minute. In the 37th minute, a corner kick from senior midfielder Jake Fitzgerald efficiently set up a score from junior forward Hudson Deutsch.
Park-Gilbert had control of possession for majority of the second half as they outshot the Lions 7-1 in the final 45 minutes of play. The final goal of this contest was Almaliky's sixth of the season, as sophomore forward Linus Vilhelmsson assisted on the play in the 87th minute.
Bucs goalkeeper Zac Stephenson picked up his second straight shutout, and moved to 3-1 in his four starts this season. The senior from Newcastle, England saved Soka's lone shot on goal which came in the second half.
Overall, Park outshot Soka 11-3 in this contest.
The Park-Gilbert men's soccer team returns to the pitch this Thursday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. MST, when they hit the road to face the Arizona Christian University Firestorm (8-2-2, 5-1-1) at the ACU Soccer Field in Glendale, Ariz.
