Recap: Season-Opening Success As Mustangs Blank LCCC, 5-0

SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. - First-year defensive back Igor McVeagh scored two goals and midfielder Tenzin Wangyal assisted on a pair of tallies as Montgomery's men's soccer team blanked Lehigh Carbon Community College, 5-0, in the season opener for both Region XIX teams on Thursday afternoon.

The victory marked a winning debut for new head coach Tom Haney, who was especially pleased with the effort of his defensive backs and defensive midfielders.

"The team played a very balanced game today," said Haney. "It was a good start to the season."

Thanks to some precise passing the visiting Mustangs had the Cougars on their heels from the opening whistle, scoring at the 6:18 mark as Wangyal found McVeagh on the left side of the field and he finished with a laser shot for the 1-0 lead.

Montgomery had a considerable edge in scoring opportunities and controlled play throughout the game. However, Cougars' goalkeeper Johnathan Reynolds kept the home team close, especially in the first half.

The Mustangs broke through again at the 24:30 mark when first-year midfielder Robbie Hirschberg set up Wilson Gonzalez for the second score of the game.

The second half was much of the same, with the Mustangs applying pressure on the attack and striking three more times to provide the game's final margin.

At 64:30, first-year player Mawulome Logoh fired a rocket shot past Reynolds after stealing the ball from a Cougar defender.

Montgomery followed that up with a pair of goals in a seven-minute span, courtesy of the defense. Second-year player Brad Strouse made a great attacking run from the center back position and finished a ball from Wangyal. Then McVeagh collected his second goal of the game after making a run from the left back position and receiving a well-placed ball from first-year player Ariel Gaviria.

While Mustangs' goalkeeper Andy Verdi was credited with three saves in the game, Haney credited the overall defensive effort for the victory.

"The work of the defensive backs and and defensive midfielders was very good today. They maintained the defensive pressure on Lehigh Carbon and kept the attack moving forward," said Haney. "It was a good start to the season; but we still have a lot of work to do to get better and compete in the region and conference."

The Mustangs return to action on Thursday, Sept. 3 at Northampton Community College at 3:30 pm.

- By Bob Kent, Sports Information Director