Morales sparks 4-0 men’s soccer win for Camels

by Dunn Area Sports Staff | Sep 7, 2019 | Campbell, News & Features

Adrian Morales (10) had two goals to lead Campbell on Friday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

BUIES CREEK — Adrian Morales scored twice to lead Campbell to a 4-0 men’s soccer victory over American Friday night at the Eakes Athletic Complex.

Matt Lock scored and set up another goal, while Alemu Mercer-Miko and Franck Momo had two assists each for the Camels (1-1-1), who outshot the visitors 17-4 and did not allow an American (0-2-1) shot on target.

“I’m proud of our guys,” said Campbell head coach Dustin Fonder. “We had an interesting week of preparation with the hurricane keeping us from training outdoors yesterday, so we challenged our team to come out mentally focused and to play a complete game. I think they did that. I was extremely pleased with the way our guys finished off the game. We play the game in waves and our depth showed tonight.”

With a quick turnaround facing the team in preparation for Sunday’s 2 p.m. home kickoff against George Mason, a three-goal outburst in the first 12:36 of the final period put the match out of reach. Fonder was able to play 20 different field players in front of keeper Sam Lechuga, who did not have to make a save to earn his first shutout of the year.

A red-shirt freshman from Midland, Texas, Morales tallied his first career goal in the 18th when Mercer-Miko dribbled into the American box, squared the ball across the area and Morales finished with his right foot.

The Camels nearly doubled the lead in the 29th minute when Bissafi Dotte’s header beat American keeper Jake Agnew, but the ball was cleared off the line by a defender.

American’s best opportunity of the night came after 34 minutes when the ball fell to Fabio Massaro’s feet in the box, but his shot slid wide of Lechuga’s right post.

The Camel lead stood 1-0 at the break as Campbell outshot its guests 10-2 in the opening half.

Just 1:19 into the second period, Lock curled a corner kick to the far post that Gideon Betz headed toward goal and Ian Rees flew in to finish with his head for a 2-0 advantage.

In the 49th minute, Matt Sloan hit a low, hard shot from outside the Camel box, but the ball missed just wide right.

After 56 minutes, Mercer-Miko’s played the ball down the right flank to Momo, who crossed it into the area, where Lock battled through traffic to finish his volley. Just 1:24 later, Momo dribbled into the box and found Morales open at the far side. He finished another right-footed effort for what proved to be the final margin.

(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)