DAVIDSON, N.C. – Behind four second-half goals, including two from junior George Kaloudis, Davidson cruised past UMass, 4-1, in Atlantic 10 men's soccer action Sunday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
With the win, the Wildcats extend their home-unbeaten streak to 10 straight, while improving to 9-2-4 overall and 3-2-1 in league play. The Minutemen fall to 2-14-1 and 1-5-1.
"It was an amazing and important win for many reasons," commented Davidson head coach Matt Spear. "To celebrate our seniors on a sunny, beautiful afternoon was awesome for seven special guys and their families. And to earn three points in the A-10 standings in a dominant four-goal performance is a further boost to the team's momentum."
Along with finishing the season undefeated at Alumni Stadium, Davidson matched its season-high for goals in a contest with four. The Wildcats continue to perform well in the second half with 22 of their 24 goals coming after intermission this year.
"Although we have been consistent with our formation and our starting line-up, we have great depth. This is another game where we played more subs than our opponent, and I believe it's been one of the ingredients for our success." George Kaloudis scored a pair of goals, including the eventual game-winner.Scoreless at the half for the fifth straight outing, Davidson had a number of scoring opportunities in the opening period, including Valeriy Sviderskiy's one-on-one attempt that missed just wide. In addition, Alan Reiter had a well struck free kick sail high and a shot from in front deflect off the cross bar.
In the 58th minute, Sviderskiy tracked down a UMass miscue, beat a defender and the keeper to his right to put the Wildcats up, 1-0.
"I am super happy for Val, this could very well further elevate his self-belief," said Spear.
Kaloudis extended the Wildcats' lead and put the game out of reach with a pair of goals less than seven minutes apart. His eventual game-winner came off a brilliant through ball from Reiter, while his second was a left-footed strike that curled inside the far post off a feed from Christian Fechter.
"George Kaloudis really delivered for Davidson this afternoon. On his first goal, Alan played a clever, penetrating entry pass and then George does what he does best, which is creativity to dribble and finish. And then the second goal was a pure strike that George crushed in to the corner."
Carlo DeMarco provided the Minutemen's lone goal with a blast from just inside the box at the 76:15 mark.
With less than a minute to play, freshman Cort Coxhead found the back of the net from about 20 yards out on an assist from Jess Smith for his first career goal.
"Cort is a guy that gives a 100% in each practice, and it was thrilling for me, his teammates – and I am sure for his father Billy who is a Davidson soccer alumnus – to get his first college goal," Spear said.
The Wildcats finished with a commanding 17-7 margin in shots and 8-4 edge in corner kicks.
