SALEM, Va. - After a 3-1 loss against Randolph-Macon yesterday, the Berry Vikings got back in the win column with a 1-0 victory on the road against the Roanoke College Maroons on Monday afternoon.
The Vikings improve to 2-1 this season while handing the Maroons (1-1) their first loss of the season.
Roanoke came out of the gate swinging with high pressure, but with the composure the Vikings possessed, they were able to take control of the game by keeping possession of the ball.
A nice run in the box from Joey Captain in the 23rd minute produced a penalty as he was fouled inside the box. In the end, sophomore Samuel Carlson sent the Maroons goalkeeper the wrong way by slotting his penalty kick in the bottom left corner of the net to put Berry on top 1-0. This also marked Carlson's first goal of the season.
The rest of the first half would be an even and hard fought head-to-head battle, but the Vikings still held onto the advantage as they went into the locker room.
The second half was very similar, it also came with its hard fought battles and intense aerial altercations, but the Vikings were able to hold on and secure their second victory of their season. The Maroons took eight shots in the final 45 minutes, but only two of them were on goal and saved by goalkeeper Cooper Cherry.
It's the first shutout of the season for the Vikings, along with Cherry's first clean sheet of the season, the reigning SAA Conference Tournament MVP.
The Vikings play their first home game of the season on Friday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m. against the Berea College Mountaineers.
