By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
WALESKA, Ga. – The Eagles finished off a perfect 3-0 homestand with another Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) victory in the form of a 4-1 outcome over Columbia International (S.C.) Wednesday night inside Ken White Field at University Stadium.
Reinhardt has now won four-straight matches, including three from the AAC, to improve to 9-5-1 overall and 7-2-1 inside the league.
"Late-season matches within the AAC are always challenging as there is so much at stake for each team," head coach Joey Johnson said. "It was a difficult match tonight against a quality opponent and I am proud of the players for continuing to work hard through the ebbs and flows of the game. It was a positive way to close out our regular-season home schedule.
I appreciate the efforts of the players to execute the tactical side of the game plan tonight as a high level of collective focus was required tonight in order to be successful. I am grateful for the opportunity to share this season's journey with them and look forward to what lies ahead for our team."
It was a defensive battle for the majority of the first half before Yosr Frej broke open the scoring in the 34th minute off a feed from Leonardo Fagioli. Frej himself would double his squad's advantage at 53:23, and then about five minutes later, Aaron Whitten – who assisted on the second score – found the back of the net to make it 3-0.
The Rams would keep plugging away, however, and get on the board in the 64th minute to get back within a pair of tallies. It would be the closest they would get to their hosts the rest of the way as Taylor Gray capped off the evening with a score in the final minutes.
Both teams played tough throughout, as the Eagles were out-front in shots, 17-9.
Whitten earned four shots, while Frej and Philip Frowis had three apiece.
Tauan Oliveira also assisted on Whitten's goal.
In goal, Severin Ryf went the full 90 minutes and stopped three shots while surrendering one score.
The Rams of Bluefield (Va.) welcome the hometown club for the regular-season finale on Saturday at 3:15 p.m.
