Dakota Wesleyan kicks off season with 3-2 victory over Clarke to open Viterbo Classic

La Crosse, Wis. – The Dakota Wesleyan University men's soccer team kicked off the 2021 campaign in dramatic, come-back fashion versus non-conference opponent Clarke University on Saturday. Using a late goal in the 83^rd minute, Dakota Wesleyan and first-year head coach Brady Van Holland knocked off Clarke, 3-2 as part of the 2021 Viterbo Classic in La Crosse, Wis. 

 DWU generated the energy early in the first half as Rocky Guevara (Norfolk, Neb.) attempted a shot on goal within the opening minutes. Rafael Calderon (Talca, Chile) responded in the 10^th minute with a goal, granting the Tigers (1-0) the early 1-0 lead.

 Dakota Wesleyan continued the hot start as Calderon and Cesar Requena (Lima, Peru) sent back-to-back attempts on goal in the 20^th minute. However, it was the Pride (0-1) securing the equalizer in the 22^nd minute to tie the game at 1-1 midway through the opening half.

 Both teams exchanged scoring opportunities for the remainder of the half, including a corner kick by Lucas Paixao (Sao Paulo, Brazil) in the 33^rd minute. Though, the game sat tied 1-1 entering halftime with the Blue and Gray maintaining a slight advantage in shots at 6-5. Goalkeeper Hunter Birozy (Norco, Calif.) and the Tiger defensive unit meanwhile clocked a pair of saves.

 Clarke gained the momentum to begin the second half as CU took its first lead of the match, 2-1 in the 59^th minute. The Pride attempted another pair of shots near the 75^th minute looking to expand its lead, yet the Tiger defensive line stood their ground.

 In need of an equalizer, it was DWU left back Calderon once again in the 77^th minute scoring his second goal of the day. The Talca, Chile, native who paced Dakota Wesleyan with four shots in the game, evened the score at 2-2.

 Minutes later, Jabari Campbell (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands) registered the decisive goal in the 83^rd minute off an assist from Paixao, and the Tigers once again held a one-goal advantage. Dakota Wesleyan held off any comeback by Clarke over the final six minutes and preserved the 3-2 victory.

 DWU finished the match with 12 attempts on goal including a pair of shots by Guevara, Roberto Gerardo Romero (Lynwood, Calif.) and Requena. Birozy ended the day with three saves at net on five shots on goal.

 Dakota Wesleyan returns to the pitch versus non-conference foe St. Ambrose University at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow to conclude the 2021 Viterbo Classic in La Crosse, Wis.