By: Joey Daniels (@GBJoeyD)
GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – Thanks to a five-goal performance by Audi Jepson (Green Bay, Wis.), the Green Bay men's soccer team cruised to an 8-0 victory on Friday night at a cold and rainy Santaga Stadium.
Continuing his strong offensive start to the season, Jepson's five goals makes him just the second player in the history of the program to accomplish such a feat. The school record for goals in a single game is six, set back in 1969, as Jepson came a goal short of tying that mark.
The sophomore, who now leads the team with seven goals on the season, scored three goals in the first half and two more in the second. He finished with 11 total points in the game, also adding an assist to his stat line. He becomes the first player in Green Bay history to finish with exactly five goals in a game, which hasn't been done since 1969 when Zach Papanikolaou scored six against UW-Parkside.
Jepson scored goals in the 22nd minute, 30th minute, 39th minute, 52nd minute and 81st minute. Cheenuj Shong (Milwaukee, Wis.) assisted on three of Jepson's goals, working the midfield and sidelines nicely to set up his teammate. Senior Lawrence Talery (Coon Rapids, Minn.) also picked up a pair of assists, feeding the foot of Jepson on two occasions.
“We had a good squad performance today. We problem solved well and played very unselfish during the game. I am pleased with the performances of a number of players playing for the first time this season. We kept our concentration in the game and worked hard throughout,” coach Baumbach said.
Freshman Emmanuel Ekunseitan made a strong impact on the game, scoring his first collegiate goal while assisting on two others. Ekunseitan also assisted on a pair of Jepson goals and scored career goal number one in the 74th minute.
Fayçal Oulahbib (Chelles, France) began the scoring barrage in the 16th minute, after being assisted by Sidney McClain (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) who assisted on both goals scored by Oulahbib. McClain also assisted on Jepson's fourth goal of the night. Oulahbib added his second score against Viterbo in the 26th minute.
Green Bay dominated all areas of the game, outshooting the V-Hawks 21-3 (10-3 on goal) and taking seven corners to Viterbo's one.
“We just have to keep building and gaining confidence because conference starts in a few weeks. I was good to see some of the younger guys come in and make a difference,” senior captain Billy Donovan said.
The eight goals scored are most since 2006, when the team scored nine against IPFW.
“This was a confidence game. Everyone's confidence is up right now. We played really well and moved the ball really well. When we play bigger and stronger opponents, we have to bring this and keep building off of it,” senior captain Defrim Ramushevski said.
The Phoenix will now visit Northern Illinois on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
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