Maloku, Birozy fuel Tigers to road victory over Saints

Aberdeen, S.D. – Thanks to another strong defensive performance, the Dakota Wesleyan University men's soccer team earned a 2-1 victory over conference foe Presentation College Sunday afternoon in Aberdeen, S.D.

 The action began in the first period with a corner kick by the Saints (0-9, 0-9 GPAC) leading to a shot on goal by a Presentation attacker in the 7^th minute. However, a sliding save by goalie Hunter Birozy (Norco, Calif.) kept the match scoreless early on. Moments later, PC recorded the first goal of the game in the 13^th minute giving the PC a 1-0 lead.

 Though, the Tigers (4-7-1, 3-6 1 GPAC) wasted no time piecing together a response as Ndrin Maloku (Prishtine, Albania) found the back of the net in the 17^th minute evening the score at 1-1. The 24^th minute saw Lucas Bule (Buenos Aires, Argentina) attempt a solid shot on goal, however, the scoring bid was blocked by the Saints.

 Dakota Wesleyan earned its first lead of the match seconds later as Maloku tallied another goal giving DWU a 2-1 advantage. The first period finished unbothered as neither team found the back of the net entering halftime despite a shot wide of the goal by Diego Rangel (Queen Creek, Ariz.) in the 30^th minute.

 Despite being outshot 5-4 by PC in the first period, Dakota Wesleyan held a one-score lead at the intermission thanks to multiple goals by my Maloku. Bule and Rangel also attempted a shot while Birozy helped keep the advantage with a save at goalie.

 The second period of action highlighted the Saint's offensive attack. Presentation recorded three shots in the opening 15 minutes of play, however, Birozy and the DWU defense remained unphased securing a crucial save in 53^rd minute preserving the 2-1 margin.

 Looking to extend the lead, corner kicks by Rangel and Bule in the 50^th and 57^th minutes, respectively gave DWU opportunities on goal, though the Tigers were unable to capitalize.

 PC recorded another shot in the 70^th minute to even the score, yet the attempt sailed over the goal. A late corner kick with under ten minutes remaining in match proved to be the final scoring bid by the Saints as Dakota Wesleyan outlasted Presentation for the 2-1 victory.

 Despite being outshot by PC 5-0 in the second period, Maloku led all players with two scores tallying both his 11^th goal of the season and his third multi-goal game. Birozy and the DWU defense held strong in the second period securing a pair of saves while totaling three on the afternoon.

 Dakota Wesleyan returns to the pitch for its final match of the season versus conference-leader Morningside University at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex in Mitchell