MESA, Ariz. — Park University Gilbert's men's soccer team built an early two-goal lead and held on for a 2-1 victory over Benedictine Mesa on Saturday at Arizona Athletic Grounds. The win improved the Buccaneers to 11-6 overall and 8-4 in GSAC play, bouncing back from their loss to The Master's University.
Park-Gilbert struck twice in the opening five minutes to take control early.
Anton Aaltonen converted a penalty kick in the fourth minute to put the Buccaneers ahead 1-0. Just 59 seconds later,
Ilan Rodriguez-Roda doubled the advantage, finishing a play assisted by Aaltonen in the fifth minute.
The Buccaneers carried their 2-0 lead into halftime, but Benedictine Mesa made things tense in the second half. Felix Ehrlich scored in the 63rd minute, with Shay Carey providing the assist, cutting the margin to one goal.
Benedictine pressed for an equalizer throughout the final half, outshooting Park-Gilbert 17-4 after the break. Goalkeeper
Nicklas Lagesen came up with seven saves, helping the Buccaneers protect their lead and secure the conference win.
Benedictine finished with a 24-16 advantage in shots and 15 corner kicks to Park-Gilbert's six. Despite the pressure, the Buccaneers held off Benedictine's second-half push to secure the 2-1 victory. Benedictine was reduced to 10 men late in the match after Jackson O'Connor received a red card in the 85th minute.
Aaltonen finished with a goal and an assist, while Rodriguez-Roda scored his first goal of the season. The victory gives Park-Gilbert a 8-4 conference record as the regular season continues.
Park-Gilbert travels to Prescott, Arizona, to face Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Thursday, Oct. 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Varsity Field.
