Red Devils Continue Hot Start with Win Over Soldiers

EUREKA, Ill. – Sophomore forward Brady Thomas (Mt. Pulaski, Ill./Mt. Pulaski) scored on a set piece from freshman defender Tim Johnson (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame) just 26 seconds into the contest, setting the tone for a 6-0 non-conference victory over St. Louis Christian College, Tuesday afternoon at Traister Field.

There was doubt the contest would even come to fruition after no referees showed for the match. Fortunately, after a few phone calls and a hour in a half delay, two referees from the area were able to make it to campus and officiate the contest.

Eureka wasted no time scoring the game-winner and added insurance in the 15th and 16th minute on an unassistedTim Johnson score followed 93 seconds later by Thomas' second goal of the day, a header off a cross from freshman midfielder Koty Sayles (Pekin, Ill./Pekin).

A pair of freshman midfielder's, James Bowen (Homer Glen, Ill./Seneca) and Kyle Shanahan (Pekin, Ill./Pekin) extended the host's lead with goals in the 28th and 37th minute. Shanahan's netter was his first collegiate goal. Sophomore midfielder Andrew Maestre (Chicago, Ill./St. Rita) capped Eureka's offensive outburst with a strike from outside the penalty box that tipped off the goal keeper's hands and found the back of the net. The successful strike was Maestre's first his career.

The six goals scored were most by an EC men's soccer team since Sept. 30, 2011 when the men netted six against Robert Morris-Springfield. Eureka out-shot St. Louis Christian 29-3, including 16 shots on frame. Sophomore goal keeper Daniel Johnson (Eureka, Ill./Eureka) tallied two saved between the post.

Eureka, who has won four of their first five contest, is off the their best start in school history under second-year head coach Dwain Barker.

Eureka (4-1-0, 1-0-0 SLIAC) will jump back into St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action Friday with a 4 p.m. home test against the Spalding Golden Eagles.