JACKSON, Tenn. – The University of Montevallo men's soccer team picked up a second Gulf South Conference victory over Union on Friday night. Cesare Marconi's fourth goal of the year was enough to defeat Union despite a spirited response from the hosts in the second half.

Montevallo was the stronger side in the first half and outshot Union nine to six in the opening period. All three of the shots on goal in the first half were from Montevallo. After Liam Moore was thwarted twice by Union goalkeeper Casper Nyberg, Cesare Marconi opened the scoring with his fourth goal of the season. Zach Keller assisted the lone goal of the game, which was the first of the season for the senior.

Arad Lev Ari had a pair of shots to end the half as the Falcons chased a second goal. 

The Falcons withstood periods of pressure from the Bulldogs in the second half, but Union was unable to breach Montevallo keeper Robert Kuta's goal. After starting well with shots from Liam Moore, Krenar Krasniqi, and Antoni Matabosch, Montevallo was on the back foot for the final fourth of the match.

However, another strong performance from center backs Austin Petrovich and Gabriel Quartarone helped earn the Falcons a fifth shutout in nine games for a backline anchored by Robert Kuta's presence in goal.

The Gulf South's leader in saves and shutouts was not forced into action until the 78^th minute but was required to make smart stops on two occasions in the final three minutes. A long-range drive from Union's Andre Silva was turned aside for a corner and a header from Zac Fletcher was caught by the Polish shot-stopper.

Montevallo picked up a fifth victory and a second win in the Gulf South Conference since their return. The Falcons are 5-3-1 on the season and 2-1-1 in conference play. Union falls to 2-7 overall and 2-4 in the conference.

Montevallo 1, Union 0
October 6, 2017
Smith Memorial Soccer Complex (Jackson, Tennessee)

HOW IT HAPPENED

21' | Cesare Marconi's first-half strike was the difference in the game. Zach Keller picked up his first assist of the season, and the goal was the Italian's fourth of the year.

GAME NOTES

• Union had six shots in the first half but zero on goal. Montevallo had nine shots and finished the game with 14 compared to Union's 19 efforts.
• Nikolas Pekel had two shots in his first start of the season. The Woodlands, Texas native had a pair of efforts in the game's opening 30 minutes and started the second half after a solid performance in the midfield.
• Robert Kuta, who leads the conference in saves and shutouts, had three stops in the second half to preserve the victory. He has 54 saves and five shutouts, conceding only eight times in nine games.
• Marconi's goal was his second game-winning strike of the season. The Italian has four goals on the season which ties him with Lukas Hauer for the most on the team.
• Union's Andre Silva had a game-high five shots. Montevallo's Liam Moore led his side with four shots, all of them on goal. Silva leads the conference in total shots, with 35 efforts through nine games.

RECORDS
Montevallo 5-3-1 (2-1-1)
Union  2-7 (2-4)

UP NEXT

The University of Montevallo men's soccer team will now travel to Memphis, Tennessee to face Christian Brothers University on the road Sunday, October 8^th.  Due to expected inclement weather in Montevallo, the match was switched from a home contest. The match will start at 3:30 p.m. CT.