BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – The Geneva College men's soccer team entered Saturday's Homecoming finale with Grove City knowing first place in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) was on the line. The Golden Tornadoes made sure they were the ones holding the top spot at the end of the game, securing a 1-0 shutout of the Wolverines in front of a large crowd. Geneva's record now stands at 8-4-1 overall, 5-0 in the PAC. Grove City dropped to 4-3-5 overall, 3-1-1 in the PAC.
Geneva held a slim half-game lead in the PAC standings entering Saturday night's match virtue of Grove City's scoreless tie against Thiel on Wednesday night. The winner would gain control of the conference as teams enter the midway point of PAC play.
The Golden Tornadoes were ready at the jump and were the better team for the entire first half. Sophomore George Cottenden almost scored four minutes in on a shot from a tight angle in the box, forcing a diving save from Grove City keeper Teddy Almeter. Cottenden was particularly active in the early going, getting three shots off. Ten minutes later senior Carnel Kerr had a great look from close range that deflected off a Wolverine defender straight into the arms of Almeter.
Geneva kept pressing, and in the 41st minute junior Caleb Chambers made a run into the box from the baseline and was taken down from behind, resulting in a penalty kick. Senior Antonio Fiordilino stepped up to take the kick, and Almeter made a diving save on Fiordilino's attempt. However, the ball bounced right back to Fiordilino who one-timed another shot into an empty net to give Geneva a well-deserved 1-0 lead heading into the break. The Golden Tornadoes held an 11-4 edge in shot at the break.
The early portion of the second half was a more even affair, but with about 25 minutes remaining, the Wolverines began to turn up the pressure looking for an equalizer. Grove City held much of the possession over the final quarter of the game, making for some nervous moments for the Geneva faithful. However, junior goalkeeper Evan Shale came up with several important saves down the stretch to see the 1-0 shutout to completion. It marks Geneva's fourth shutout in five PAC games.
Geneva finished the game with a 13-10 edge in shots, including a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Golden Tornadoes also managed a 5-3 edge in corner kicks. Shale saved all five shots he faced on goal to earn his PAC-leading sixth shutout of the season.
The win gives Geneva a significant two-game lead at the midway point of conference play. Waynesburg currently sits in second place with a 4-2 record. However, Geneva still has several challenging games ahead, beginning with a road game at Westminster on Wednesday starting at 7:30 p.m.
Through purposeful learning in a community reflecting the full spectrum of God's kingdom, a Geneva College experience inspires students to discover a faith-life calling in service to God and neighbor. Offering 195+ traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality and affordability. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the International Association for Christian Education (IACE).
