Auburn University at Montgomery Athletics

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The No. 10 Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks men's soccer team (6-1-0, GSC: 3-0-0) earned its third consecutive Gulf South Conference victory Saturday night, defeating the Christian Brothers Buccaneers (3-4-1, GSC: 1-1-1) 1-0 at the AUM Soccer Complex.
 
COACH THORNE'S COMMENTS
"Tremendous performance for the team. When you're playing against top programs, there are always going to be ways where you're on top of the opposition. We took the one goal to start the game really well. When they had momentum, we were under pressure for a while, but our lads dug in deep, defended as a unit, and worked so hard for each other off the ball.
 
So, number one, great goal from a set piece. Number two, defense as a unit was phenomenal. It wasn't just the goalkeeper and backline who were fantastic tonight. It was the whole team from the front line all the way through. It was an overall great performance defensively. Clean sheet against a very good attacking side, CBU. What a day. We move on. That's nine points on the board, and then we are on to the next."

HOW IT HAPPENED 
First Half
After the Warhawks women's soccer team took a 2-0 clean-sheet victory over CBU, the men's side wasted little time finding the breakthrough, as Mikayil Bacar Said converted in the sixth minute following an AUM corner kick, with Benjamin Hoffmann providing the assist. Christian Brothers responded with pressure, but Jakob Buhrkuhl made three saves during the opening half to keep the Buccaneers off the scoreboard.
 
The Warhawks created several opportunities of their own as Sean O'Donnell put two shots on target, both of which were saved by Christian Brothers goalkeeper Pablo Ossorio. AUM also earned two corner kicks during the opening half, while the Buccaneers recorded seven shots and two corners. AUM carried its 1-0 advantage into halftime.
 
Second Half
Christian Brothers continued to search for an equalizer after halftime, but the AUM defense and Buhrkuhl kept the Buccaneers off the board. Buhrkuhl added another save in the second half, finishing the night with four saves and his fourth shutout of the season.
 
AUM generated opportunities to extend its lead, including a shot from Hoffmann in the 64th minute and a pair of corner kicks in the 77th minute. Christian Brothers managed three shots in the final 20 minutes, but none found the back of the net as the Warhawks protected the one-goal advantage through the final whistle.
 
NOTABLES

• Bacar Said's early goal marked his first of the season.
• Hoffmann's assist brings him to two on the year.
• AUM finished with six shots and three shots on goal, while Christian Brothers recorded 12 shots and four on target. 
• The Warhawks held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.

 
 
 
UP NEXT
The Warhawks return to action Wednesday, Sept. 23, traveling to Montevallo for a 7:30 p.m. GSC matchup.
 
 
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