J.J. Donnelly had a goal and an assist for Campbell at Radford. (Campbell Photo/Bennett Scarborough)
RADFORD, VA. — J.J. Donnelly scored one goal and assisted on another as Campbell extended its win streak to five matches with Saturday’s 2-0 Big South Conference men’s soccer triumph over Radford at Cupp Memorial Stadium.
Michael Barrow scored his first career goal and the Camel defense extended its shutout streak to 344 minutes, 45 seconds.
Radford (0-5, 0-1) suffered only its third loss in Big South regular-season play over the past three seasons after being outshot 15-10, 11-5 in the second half.
“This was one of our best defensive performances of the season, a collective effort and a well-earned shutout against a very good opponent in Radford,” said Campbell head coach Dustin Fonder. “We’re really pleased with two road victories and six points in our first two league games, but we still have a lot of very meaningful games ahead of us.”
Campbell’s victory stretch is the program’s longest since a 12-match win streak in 2008. Over the five-game span, the Camels have outscored their opponents 21-3, including a 15-1 edge in the second half.
Keeper Samuel Lechuga finished with four saves Saturday and has not surrendered a goal since the 15th minute of a 7-1 victory Sept. 4 at USC Upstate. He only had to leave his feet twice to make saves Saturday evening while recording a third-consecutive shutout.
After a scoreless first half, Bastien Oberli curled a free kick into the box in the 59th minute. Radford’s defense cleared the ball, but not away. With his back to the goal, Donnelly sent the ball back into the area, where Barrow headed it on goal. Radford keeper Dimitrios Valkanos mishandled the shot and saw it slip through his legs and into the goal.
Radford had a 10-3 edge in corner kicks, including eight corners in the final half, but could not convert any chances.
In the 80th minute, Donnelly doubled the Camel lead with his fourth goal of the season. Gabe Parrish gathered the ball in the Radford third, played a diagonal ball wide to Bastien Oberli, who crossed to Donnelly in the box. The senior striker controlled the pass, and blasted a right-footed shot into the lower right side of the goal.
Campbell (5-2, 2-0 Big South) ended an 8-match winless string against Radford since rejoining the Big South Conference in 2011.
The Camels travel to UNC Greensboro on Tuesday (7 p.m.) before returning to Big South play next Friday (Sept. 28) at home against Presbyterian.
(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)
