photo by Matt Nementh
Graduating senior Amanda Mikolay carries the ball down the field during a game against La Roche on Sep. 3.

Point Park men’s soccer team came out strong after their two week break since their last game against Rio Grande on Sept. 20.

“Some time for our legs to rest was definitely needed after that crazy week,” senior Lucas Silva said. “We used the time off to keep the fitness level on point and also to work on tactics and prepare for the big month coming up.”

The Pioneers hosted this past Saturday against Cincinnati Christian University, beating them 5-0 in a Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Association (KIAC) home game.

Silva started the scoring spree for the Pioneers with getting the first goal three minutes into the game.

“It always feels good to score goals and help the team,” Silva said. “We worked well as a group in the first half to get an early advantage with four goals and then we just managed the game in the second half.”

Silva also leads the Pioneers with eight goals in eight games on the year.

After a pass from junior Max Flick, the score was made 2-0 by Silva in the 26th minute and also in the 68th minute of the game.

Sophomore Paul Carr had a goal in the game along with freshman Alain Smit, who made his first goal in a Point Park uniform. 

The Pioneers have secured their first national ranking as No. 22 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Men’s Soccer Coaches’ Top 25 Poll.

Point Park broke into the poll for the first time in history after beating then No. 7 Rio Grande,2-1, at Highmark Stadium.

“It’s a good feeling to have,” Carr said. “It shows the hard work as a team on the training part is paying off when we play. It is a feeling that I know as a team we don’t want to loose and are determined to stay in the top 25 for the remainder of the season.”

Point Park’s next game is Saturday, Oct. 11 at Shawnee State for an NAIA, non-conference game at 3 p.m.