UPIKE Athletics

 
 
BARBOURVILLE – No. 19 Union Commonwealth University posted a shutout on Wednesday night when it beat the University of Pikeville 3-0.
 
UPike slipped to 3-4-2 on the season and 1-2-1 in the league as it played its second straight opponent ranked in the nation's Top 25. On Friday afternoon, the Bears played No. 6 Georgia Gwinnett College.
 
The Bulldogs improved to 8-2 overall and 4-1 in the conference.
 
It didn't take long for Union to find the scoreboard. Junior Diego Yanes Garcia scored his fifth goal of the season. He got help from freshman Noah Bender to make the score 1-0.
 
But after that, the nets were untouched the remainder of the first half. Union had five shots on goal and UPike one, but none found their mark.
 
It remained a one score game until the 59^th minute when senior Patrick Taylor scored his first goal of the season for the Bulldogs. He did so off a pass from senior Akim Soulemana to make it 2-0.
 
The final goal of the match came 10 minutes later. This time it was delivered off the foot of senior Zak Hardman. It was his first goal of the campaign and was assisted by sophomore George Goulingay.
 
Meanwhile, the Bears had six shots on the night, with two of them on goal. They were taken by junior forwards Elvis Semiyu and Jakob Rus.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Alejandro Iglesias recorded six saves in the contest.
 
UPike will return home on Saturday afternoon when it entertains Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) College at Bob Amos Park. The second game of a doubleheader, the match is set for a 3:30 start.