NEWPORT, R.I.—Gordon Men's Soccer rebounded from a tough week by taking care of business on the road with a 3-0 result over Salve Regina on Tuesday. The Fighting Scots looked back to normal with a possession-heavy offensive attack and rarely being scared in the back end to secure their seventh shutout of the season.
The Fighting Scots got back to their winning ways to improve to 10-3-1 on the season and 5-1-1 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Seahawks tough season continued with marks of 4-10-1 and 1-5-1 attributed to their ledger.
Gordon held onto possession of the ball for much of the second half, but Salve Regina countered with stingy defense for a majority of the first half. A few close calls were stopped by Michael Payan (Fort Lee, N.J.), but Gordon kept up its pressure well into the late moments of the second half. A breakdown in man coverage during a set piece allowed Josh Beveridge (Anchorage, Alaska) to finish off his first goal of the season. In the 39th minute, Collin Surface (Tallmadge, Ohio) lifted a ball to the back post where Beveridge ran onto and poked the ball into the open goal.
The Fighting Scots improved their lead to two goals very early in the second half. Tyler Modzeleski (Cazenovia, N.Y.) slid into a cross from Michael Cuocci (Baltimore, Md.) at the near post, beating Payan to the inside.
Gordon made it a 3-0 game with 20 minutes to play in regulation, with Josh Cochran (Bellville, Ohio) facilitating the offense. The junior midfielder found first-year Mark Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio) open in the fray a few yards in front of the keeper and Smith obliged with his fifth score of the season.
The Scots held a 14-8 advantage in total shots and 12-4 in attempts on goal. Josh Spoonhour (Greencastle, Pa.) stopped all sent his way. Payan was credited with five saves, while Gordon was victimized by four more team saves.
Gordon will look to build another win streak when they head to Curry on Saturday for their final road contest of the season. The Fighting Scots remain unbeaten on the road in 2016.
The Fighting Scots were notably absent from Tuesday's NSCAA regional rankings after showing up fourth in each of the previous two weeks. Last week's victors Rhode Island College and Wentworth checked in at ninth and 10th respectively.
