By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Kirtland, Ohio---The No. 17 Owens Community College men's soccer team defeated Lakeland Community College 4-1 on the road today behind three second half goals - all from different players.
In the first half, Joseph Adby (York College/York, North Yorkshire, England) right footed a cross from Nathan Francis (Lake/Walbridge, Ohio) in at the 27 minute mark to give Owens a 1-0 lead.
Late in the first half, a defensive breakdown occurred for Owens as goalkeeper Ryan Wicher (Whitmer/Toledo, Ohio) came out from the net to defend a shot, but Lakeland's Juwan Shalland-Rhode chipped it past him to tie it with nine minutes left in the half.
Tied up at halftime, Austin Combs (Anthony Wayne/Maumee, Ohio) headed in a cross from Matt Almester (St. John's/Toledo, Ohio) at the 54:22 mark to give Owens a 2-1 lead. In the 59th minute, the game was delayed due to weather, but resumed about 30 minutes later.
Shortly after the delay, that duo teamed up again as Almester booted in a ball from about 10 yards from Combs to give the team some insurance.
Then, in the 71st minute, Bjion Campbell (Coconut Creek/Margate, Fla.) scored off a direct kick to give Owens a 4-1 lead, and it would hold for the duration.
Wicher played the entire game in goal. He made one save.
Wrap Up
Owens is now 4-1 this year. They will return home Saturday for a 1 p.m. matchup against Morton College.
Almester (6) and Combs (5) are now 1-2 in goals scored this year...Combs picked up his team-high fifth assist today...Francis picked up his first collegiate assist, while also making his first collegiate start...Josiah McCloud (Monclova Christian/Toledo, Ohio) also made his first collegiate start...Owens was without four players today, Aaron Elledge (Canyon del Oro/Tucson, Ariz.), Ahmad Jarrar (Hendersonville/Hendersonville, N.C.), Benjamin Rubin (Northview/Toledo, Ohio) and Michael Dingwall (Riverdale/Lehigh Acres, Fla.)
The game featured a light rain throughout the first half until just before halftime when a downpour occurred for about 20 minutes. Then came a tornado warning in which the teams went inside. Play resumed about 30 minutes later.