IU Columbus’ Alejandro Alvarez fights for control of the ball during Monday’s match against Ohio Christian at Richard Wigh Soccer Complex in Columbus.
Tommy Walker | For The Republic
Monday night’s IU Columbus men’s soccer win against Ohio Christian was revealing in more ways than one.
First of all, the Crimson Pride showed they could still put the ball in the net by scoring six goals in a 6-0 victory at Richard Wigh Soccer Complex.
Then, to cap off the night, IUC men’s and women’s coach Kevin Nolan kicked a ball into a balloon hanging from one of the goals. The balloon imploded with blue smoke, meaning Nolan and his wife Trish are expecting a baby boy.
The Crimson Pride (4-5-1) scored three goals in each half in snapping a two-game losing streak.
“It was a good game for us,” Nolan said. “We needed a game like that to get back on track. Starting conference play on Thursday, we needed that victory. We needed to score some goals. We haven’t scored a lot of goals like that this year, and we needed a game like that to give us a little tuneup to get us feeling comfortable.”
IUC jumped on the board quickly with two goals from Jon Michael Bright in the first 20 minutes. Columbus North graduates Christian Cardoso and Alejandro “Pollo” Alvarez provided the assists in the 14th and 20th minutes, respectively.
Bright then assisted on a goal by Kevin Cruz in the 33rd minute.
“That’s what coach was saying pregame — we need to come out and get them early,” Bright said. “They’re not a bad team or anything, but it was a game we needed to put away early. We went out there and did exactly that.”
Angel Roque converted a penalty kick in the 55th minute. Alvarez scored in the 69th minute, and Rex Randy netted the final goal in the 87th minute.
The Crimson Pride outshot Ohio Christian 31-5, putting 18 shots on goal to three for the Trailblazers. Jacob Kasarda recorded three saves.
“It’s good that we got goals on the board,” Alvarez said. “We really needed this. I think it’s a great way to start and get a good feeling going into conference.
The women’s game that preceded the men’s game didn’t end quite as well for the Crimson Pride. Ohio Christian’s Syerra Metzler put one past IUC keeper Mallory Gilley in the 86th minute to give the Trailblazers a 1-0 victory.
Ohio Christian outshot the Crimson Pride 18-1, putting 13 shots on goal to one for IUC. Gilley finished with 11 saves.
“There have been plenty of games where Mal saved us and kept us from losing,” Nolan said. “We have to get a little more healthy and be a little more smarter on the ball and hopefully get back to winning ways on Thursday when we go and play in Kentucky.”
The women and men will open River States Conference play Thursday at Brescia and will return home for a doubleheader with Midway on Saturday.
The Crimson Pride women (2-4-1) have exceeded their win total from last season.
“We want to keep building,” Nolan said. “We’re not happy with just being right there being one better than we were. We still have a long season left, and the girls are fighting. They’re a really good group, and I think the future is bright for them right now.”
