ABERDEEN, S.D. (macbulldogs.com) ---
Diego Loza (San Diego, Calif., San Diego Mesa College) scored three goals as the McPherson College men's soccer team rocked host Presentation College, 8-0, Saturday on the first day of the Saints' Labor Day Classic.
The Bulldogs (1-1), who received votes in the NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Top 25, outshot Presentation, 32-6, including 25-3 in shots on goal.
McPherson scored just one goal in the first half - an unassisted tally by
Christopher Kelly (Glasgow, Scotland, St. Ambrose HS) in the 38th minute - but erupted for seven goals on 18 shots in the second half.
Loza registered his first goal in the 57th minute off an assist by
Kaonnye Opazo (Lancaster, Calif., College of the Canyons).
The lead grew to 3-0 in the 65th minute as
Erik Espinoza (San Ysidro, Calif., San Diego Mesa College) headed in a set-piece offering by Opazo.
Sadam Ali (Tucson, Ariz., Pima CC) followed with a goal off an assist by Greg Roller less than two minutes later to make it 4-0.
Tony Del Valle (Cypress, Texas, Cypress Ranch HS) notched a goal in the 71st minute off the bench, then assisted on goals by Loza in the 72nd minute and
Ian Canevari (Valencia, Calif., College of the Canyons) in the 87th minute. Loza completed his hat trick with an unassisted goal in the 78th minute.
Canevari finished with a game-high six shots, including three on goal. Loza added five shots - all on goal.
McPherson keeper
Jose Alonso (Wichita, Kan., Derby HS) made three saves en route to his first collegiate clean sheet. His Presentation counterpart, Brandt McCall, was credited with 15 saves.
Austin Franco accounted for two of the Saints' six shots.
The Bulldogs return to the pitch at noon Monday to face the University of Providence (Mont.) in Aberdeen. The Argos (0-1) fell to No. 8 MidAmerican Nazarene, 6-1, earlier Saturday to kickoff the event.
