photos courtesy of Liz Berie, Point Park Athletics
Senior midfielder Max Flick rushes to get a goal during the senior night
soccer game against Brescia at Highmark Stadium.
Senior midfielder Max Flick and Junior defender Paul Carr celebrate after a goal
during Saturday’s senior night soccer game against Brescia at Highmark Stadium.
Sophomore forward Bryan Kalaka rushes to get the ball during Saturday’s senior night game against Brescia at Highmark Stadium.
With just 59 seconds off the game clock, Point Park men’s soccer midfielder Max Flick kicked the ball from just outside the goalie’s box, and it ricocheted off two Brescia University defenders before it went into the net to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead. It served as foreshadowing for the game’s remainder.
“Brescia’s defense wasn’t strong enough, which allowed us a lot of room to play,” said Point Park senior goalie Zak Borzovoy. “We played with a lot of confidence in our own ability and the ability of our teammates.”
The Pioneers dismantled Brescia at home on senior night in a 10-0 victory, which extended the team’s winning streak to three games. They also upped their overall record to 7-5-1 and their Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) record to 2-2.
“It felt like a celebration of the time we’ve all shared playing in this program,” Borzovoy said.
Off a corner kick with 20:35 left in the first half, Pioneers defender Paul Carr increased the team’s lead to 2-0 with a header.
Just two minutes later, Carr notched another goal via header off an assist from forward Dominic Canello. That goal marked Carr’s sixth of the season, three of which are headers.
“I have been getting into the right areas, and other players have been delivering the ball perfectly,” Carr said.
The second half of the contest opened in similar fashion. Flick scored on an assist from Canello, putting the Pioneers up 4-0 with 43:04 left in the game.
Point Park forward Alan Ramos amassed his sixth goal of the season on a header with 30:12 remaining in the game — he is now tied with Carr for the team lead in goals.
Then, the Pioneers recorded two goals on penalty kicks during a span of six minutes, strengthening their lead to 7-0 with less than 30 minutes to go in the game. The first of those goals came off the foot of senior defender Matt Buckley — his first of the season. Senior midfielder Corey Joyce scored the second one, which is also his first goal of the season.
After putting up three assists, Canello got a goal his own in the 74th minute, which was followed by goals from midfielder Donovan Morgan and midfielder senior Zach Rafalowski, cementing a 10-goal game for the Pioneers. Appropriately, five of those goals were generated by senior players.
“A lot of the seniors scored goals, including players that have been crucial to the team’s success but never scored a goal before, so everyone got some recognition,” Borzovoy said.
Point Park honored its 10 seniors Cristian Mika, Marius Seager, Ojok Grichang, Flick, Buckley, Canello, Borzovoy and Rafalowski prior to the game. Fellow team members were elated to aide the seniors in a monumental blowout win on senior night.
“It felt amazing to get that win for the seniors,” Ramos said. “It was a special night, and it was well deserved, and I’m very happy for the seniors.”
Next on tap for the Pioneers is the No. 11 ranked Lindsey Wilson on the road Oct. 24. Point Park stated it must maintain its focus, as the team faces one of its most talented opponents of the season.
“We just need to keep our focus like we have these past games,” Ramos said. “It’s going to be a tough game, but we know we can beat anyone if we play our game.”
