MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) - Senior
KJ McNealey Jr. (Milwaukee, Wis.) scored two second-half insurance goals to help lead the Wisconsin Lutheran College men's soccer team to a 3-0 shutout win over Ripon on Thursday night at Uihlein Soccer Park. It was the fourth straight season-opening win for the Warriors.
"I'm really proud of our team and it is a nice way to start the season," said 23rd-year head coach
Joe Luedke. "This is a good group of guys and I am blessed with a great staff. We are looking forward to our next game on Monday."
Junior
Ben Meaux (Franklin, Wis.) had the only two shots on frame from either side in the first half, the second of which found the back of the net. Meaux gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead in the 41st minute of the opening half off an assist from junior
Titus Kostrzewa (Wauwatosa, Wis.) for the eventual game-winner. WLC out-shot Ripon 6-2 in the first half and held onto the one-goal lead at intermission.
Less than two minutes into the second half, McNealey Jr. netted his first goal since 2018, unassisted, after a ricocheted save to give Wisconsin Lutheran a 2-0 advantage. The contest remained 2-0 until the 85th minute when McNealey Jr. struck for a second time, this time on an assist from senior
Joseph Raasch (Germantown, Wis.).Â
The Green and White out-shot the Red Hawks 15-7, including 9-3 in shots on target. McNealey Jr. led the way with four shots, all on goal.
Sophomore
Bryce Beckley (Waterford, Wis.) and junior
Puma Galvan (Racine, Wis.) combined for the shutout with each playing 45 minutes. Beckley picked up the victory without having to make a save in the opening period.
The Warriors (1-0) travel to River Falls on Monday for a neutral site game against Buena Vista (0-1). Kickoff from David Smith Stadium at UW-River Falls is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Live coverage links will be available for the game at WLCSports.com.
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