Goals on either side of halftime helped Oglethorpe University defeat LaGrange College 2-0 Thursday, Oct. 22, ending a two-match losing streak.
Ethan Martinez scored late in the first half, and Nick Krull converted a penalty early in the second as the Stormy Petrels improved to 6-5-4 overall. Oglethorpe is 4-1-2 at home, according to its season schedule.
Goalkeeper Sebastian Lewis finished with four saves and his fifth shutout of the season. LaGrange had seven shots to Oglethorpe’s 12.
Martinez put the Petrels ahead at 43:04, finishing a chance created by Nathan Leveque. LaGrange goalkeeper Braeden Hayes got a touch on the shot but could not keep it out, according to the Oglethorpe athletics recap.
The goal was Martinez’s first this season and second of his college career. Leveque’s assist brought his team-leading total to four.
Oglethorpe doubled its advantage at 46:20. Gustavo Canas drew a foul inside the penalty area, and Krull scored from the spot.
Lewis had stopped three shots before halftime. The Petrels limited LaGrange to two shots in the second half to preserve the shutout. The university’s recap credits Lewis with 59 saves this season, the most in the Southern Athletic Association.
The victory followed losses at No. 13 Southwestern and Trinity during Oglethorpe’s Texas road trip.
Two home conference matches remain
The Petrels return to SAA play against Maryville College on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. They then host Sewanee for Senior Day on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. Oglethorpe’s conference record stands at 1-3-2.
The university has also scheduled a soccer tailgate for Oct. 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., beginning an hour before the Maryville kickoff.
Oglethorpe will host the SAA Tournament beginning Thursday, Nov. 5. The conference’s top six teams qualify.
