Wesleyan soccer opens conference play with 7-0 win

Rocky Mount, NC - USA South men's soccer action opened on Saturday, and the Bishop men of North Carolina Wesleyan wasted no time asserting themselves with a 7-0 win over Ferrum College at Scalf Field.  Freshman Robert Ivanovich was the lone Bishop to tally two goals, one of which proved to be the eventual gamewinner.  Wesleyan remains undefeated at 6-0-0 on the season and extends its three-year conference regular-season winning streak to 13 games.

Ivanovich notched the game's first goal in the 10th minute when he booted home a deflection, unassisted.  The Panthers responded by holding Wesleyan in check for the next 28 minutes, but the Bishops tallied three goals in the final seven minutes of the first period to take a 4-0 lead into intermission.

Justin Thompson and Edgar Zaldivar scored NCWC's second and third goals, respectively, both off of assists by Ernesto Marquez.  Ivanovich connected on goal #4 off a Zaldivar cross with 1:25 remaining in the period.

The second half was all Bishops as Marquez, Lucas Fuentes, and Salvador Benitez each tallied scores for the 7-0 final.

NCWC outshot Ferrum 39-2 on the day.  Bishop goalies Renato Corte and Jeff Johnson combined for the shutout, while Ferrum goalies Adam Pickeral (11) and Matt Parrish (5) combined for 16 saves.

Wesleyan continues USA South play on Tuesday when the Bishops travel to Greensboro College for a 4:00 p.m. match-up with the Pride.