Gyurkovits Late Goal Powers V-Hawks Over Pipers, Keeps Perfect Season Alive

LA CROSSE, Wis - The Viterbo University Men's Soccer team, receiving votes in the most recent NAIA Top 25 Coach's Poll,  defeated Hamline University (NCAA Division III) 2-1 at the Viterbo Outdoor Athletic Complex on Tuesday evening. The V-Hawks improve to 9-0 while the Pipers' record falls to 2-5.

Viterbo started out the first half strong, with Alfie Gyurkovits having a shot and Conner Erdmann taking a corner all within the first 1:25. Viterbo would foul three times within the next eight minutes and allow two Hamline shots, which were both saved by V-Hawks keeper Ernesto Ascenzo. In the 31st minute, Hamline's Logan Weller scored an unassisted goal, the first the V-Hawks have allowed all season. Erdmann would go on to take two more corners and a few shots throughout the half. Dakota Hatzenbeller, Diego Arenal, and Antonio Marchese also logged shots for Viterbo. After the first 45 minutes, the V-Hawks trailed the Pipers 0-1.

For the first fifteen minutes of the second half, Viterbo and Hamline fouled back and forth. At 64:28, Conner Erdman's Corner kick led to an Aidan Radford header that found Jacob Battisata for the goal and a 1-1 tie. Gyurkovits, Arenal, Jason Niba, Sammy Ankaoglu, Radford, and Michael Ohana each added shots for the V-Hawks in the half. In the 87th minute, a Hamline foul would lead to a Viterbo penalty kick, taken by Jacob Battista. Hamline's Ethan Schauer made the initial save, but Gyurkovits crashed the net and scored the rebound. Viterbo's two goals in the half would earn them a 2-1 win.

Viterbo outshot Hamline 20-7, and took six corners to Hamline's 3. Arenal led the V-Hawks in shots, recording 5. Ascenzo (8-0) made two saves, while Hamline keepers Schauer and Luke Rimington (2-5) recorded six altogether. 

The V-Hawks look to continue their nine-game winning streak on Sunday, September 25 at Morningside University at 3:00 PM.