DALTON, Ga. - Dalton State looked worthy of being ranked No. 1 overall in the latest NAIA top-25 poll as the Roadrunners (14-1-3) dispatched CIU (12-4-3) in the first round of the NAIA Men's Soccer Championship on Thursday. The Rams' second consecutive trip to the NAIA postseason came to a quick end as CIU fails to advance to the NAIA Championship second round after reaching round two last season.
Scoring Summary: CIU was able to fire off several shots early in the first frame putting the pressure on the Roadrunners' backline. Dalton State returned the favor placing the first goal of the game in the back of the net in 26' minute. Just over ten minutes later, the Roadrunners would score again and take a 2-0 lead into the break despite CIU out-shooting their opponent 6-to-5 in the first frame.
The Rams' defense was tested yet again in the second half as CIU yielded two goals in a five-minute span between the 63' and 69' minute marks to go down 4-0. Lucas Galdino attempted to give the Rams some life after the second goal, but his shot attempt in the 71' minute went high as the Rams could not surmount the four-goal lead falling to the Roadrunners after a hard-fought 90' minutes.
Praise Kabwe led the Rams in shots with three as Galdino and Sonny Quintanilla each collected two. Keeper Chase Knizek did his best to protect the Rams' goal as the freshman reeled in five saves.
Up Next: CIU will wait and see if they will receive an at-large bid to the NCCAA Men's Soccer Championship, which will begin on Monday, Nov. 28, in Kissimmee, Fla.
