COLUMBIA, S.C. — CIU men's soccer broke open a close match with six second-half goals Saturday, defeating Bluefield University 7-0 in Appalachian Athletic Conference play at Sessions Field.
The Rams (4-3-2, 2-1-1 AAC) controlled possession and created chances throughout the first half but had only one goal to show for nine shots. Josiah Clermont struck the post in the 41st minute before setting up Turner Ferguson for the opening goal with 46 seconds remaining in the half.
CIU's pressure paid off after the break. Julian Rodriguez assisted Ezekiel Bargas in the 56th minute, and Elias Jonsson set up Fernando Ferro's goal in the 62nd to extend the lead to 3-0.
The Rams then scored twice in a span of 73 seconds. Bargas supplied the pass for Clermont's goal in the 73rd minute, and Micah Roloff assisted Bargas on his second goal in the 74th. Ive Celic scored off an assist from Nathan King in the 82nd minute before King finished the scoring in the 85th on a pass from William Lippiatt.
Bargas led CIU with two goals and an assist. Clermont added a goal and an assist, while Ferguson, Ferro, Celic and King also scored. Seven different Rams recorded assists.
CIU outshot Bluefield 27-5, including an 18-2 advantage in the second half, and earned 14 corner kicks to Bluefield's one. Goalkeepers Vasilios Diakomihalis and Branson Calcutt each made a save to combine for the shutout.
The Rams return to Sessions Field on Wednesday, Sept. 30, for another important AAC matchup against Reinhardt. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.
