ERZEN, MARTIN SCORE GOALS IN 2-0 EXHIBITION WIN OVER VMI

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RADFORD, Va. – Radford received two late second half goals in a defense dominated exhibition, taking a 2-0 victory over in-state foe VMI, Sunday evening at Cupp Stadium. The Highlander defense held the Keydets to two shots in the shutout.

Radford controlled the ball for most of the first half, holding a 4-1 shot advantage over the Keydets at intermission. Of RU's four shots in the opening half, only one came on goal.

The second half saw the Highlanders dominate possession once again, but was unable to find the back of the net early in the half.

After the first eight shots of the second half missed, freshman Wyatt Erzen broke the scoreless match in the 84^th minute. Sophomore Cole Bankert delivered a cross into the box where Kendall McIntosh redirected to Erzen, placing the ball in the bottom-left corner of the goal.

The second goal of the match came in the 88^th minute on a free kick off the foot of Taylor Martin. Taking advantage of the VMI foul, Martin curved the ball past a wall of yellow and red, giving the Highlanders a 2-0 exhibition win.

"We got to see a lot of different players take the field, which was good this early in preseason. I wanted us to be a little more clinical in the attacking third with the group that played in the first half," said head coach Marc Reeves. "College soccer parity is very close and to win 2-0 is fantastic in terms of a result."

Radford out-shot VMI, 15-2, and earned a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks. Three of RU's eight shots on goal came from senior Garland Smith.

Mason Worsham finished with five saves for the Keydets.

"Right now, we are focusing on becoming a stronger group and getting better before our season opener," Reeves added. "We have two more preseason games to help define our identity a little more. I am really looking forward to training for those two matches."

The Highlanders will play their second exhibition match on Thursday, hosting NCAA Division II Charleston (W.Va.) in a 7 p.m. matchup.

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Players Mentioned

#32 Cole Bankert: MF; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#18 Taylor Martin: MF; 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore

#28 Kendall McIntosh: F; 6' 0"; Junior

#17 Garland Smith: F; 5' 9"; Senior

#15 Wyatt Erzen: MF; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#32 Cole Bankert
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: MF

#18 Taylor Martin
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore
: MF

#28 Kendall McIntosh
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

#17 Garland Smith
: 5' 9"; Senior
: F

#15 Wyatt Erzen
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: MF