Men’s Soccer Cruises Past Michigan-Dearborn, 4-1

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PONTIAC, Mich. — Coming off their WHAC-opening win over Lawrence Tech Saturday, the Marygrove men’s soccer team wasted no time dispatching conference foe Michigan-Dearborn Wednesday (Oct. 1) inside Pontiac’s Ultimate Soccer Arenas. The Mustangs (3-7-0, 2-0-0 WHAC) sent home three first half goals and added another in the latter stanza to top the host Wolverines (0-7-0, 0-2-0 WHAC) by a 4-1 final.

Junior midfielder Haider Alzayadi (Simawa, Iraq/Wayne State University) got the scoring started for the Mustangs with a 27th minute goal from freshman Andriy Pelekh (Lviv, Ukraine/Salem High School). The goal – Alzayadi’s first as a Mustang – would put the Green & Gold up, 1-0, after the teams played an evenly matched opening 25 minutes of play. The Mustangs would settle in from there and begin to hold possession in the Wolverines’ end for the remainder of the first half.

In the 39th minute, junior forward Oneil Robinson (Montego Bay, Jamaica/Cornwall College) tucked in a goal from 10 yards out to put the Mustangs up, 2-0. Robinson’s goal – his third of the season – was the product of an Alzayadi assist as the Mustangs started to roll in their second conference contest of the season.

The Mustangs would break it open less than two minutes later when Robinson struck again to balloon the team’s lead to a three-goal margin. The 41st minute goal, also sent in from Alzayadi, would end the first half scoring barrage as the Mustangs went into the break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

In the second half, sophomore forward Madalin Pop (Marghita, Romania/John Glenn High School) scored his first goal at the collegiate level when he tapped home a rebound to give the Mustangs a 4-0 cushion. Pop – now a forward after spending his freshman season as a defender – beat the Wolverines keeper to ice the game after a shot by Vincent Umejeigo (Lagos, Nigeria/Wayne County CC) was left out in front for the sophomore to tap home.

The Mustangs were unable to secure their first shutout victory of the season, allowing an 82nd minute goal from the Wolverines’ Shahad Farahani. The late goal would be all the Wolverines posted as the Mustangs cruised to the 4-1 conference victory.

Sophomore keeper Ryan Plonka (St. Clair Shores, Mich./Macomb CC) turned away five Wolverine shots to earn his third win in net this season.

Playing without leading scorer Abdoulie Jallow (Bansang, The Gambia/Rust College), the Mustangs were able to work in their depth as they prepare for a big matchup Saturday (Oct. 4) when NAIA No. 2 Davenport University visits Detroit for a 4 p.m. kick. The contest features a pair of teams that own unblemished records in the WHAC through two games.

MEN’S SOCCER CONTACT: Tim Johnston | [email protected] /* */ | @tjohnston56
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