WESTON, Mass. – Johnson & Wales University scored a pair of goals in each half as the Wildcats took home a 4-0 decision over Regis College in non-conference men's soccer action on Wednesday night in Weston, Mass. JWU picked up its second consecutive win of the season en route to improving to 2-5 (0-1 GNAC), while the Pride dips below .500 at 4-5 (0-1 NECC). Johnson & Wales' Dustin Hughes (Holden, Mass.) scored his first two collegiate goals and added an assist in the win.
The Wildcats were the first on the board as Hughes took a beautifully placed through ball from Patrick Nally (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) and blasted the ball over the head of the Regis goalkeeper to give JWU an early 1-0 lead only 6:22 into the match. The Pride almost found the equalizer with 23:55 remaining as Josh Fidalgo (Dorchester, Mass.) corralled a loose ball at the top of the box and turned to fire on net but his shot was turned away by the outstretched arms of Ryan Dwierawski (Oakland, Mich.).
The Wildcats' Adam Shafer (Corning, N.Y.) had a pair of chances to add an insurance goal in the opening period. Shafer received a cross to the top of the box where he had a chance at an open net, but his shot bounced off the far post, helping the Pride preserve the 1-0 deficit. Shafer's second opportunity came with 11:00 minutes remaining as the senior's blast from 25 yards out sailed just high of its mark. Hughes would later provide the insurance goal as the Pride had a turnover at the top of the box and Anthony Buendo (East Longmeadow, Mass.) tapped the ball to an open Hughes who found the back of the net for the 2-0 lead.
Dwierawski later got some help from his defense when a Jeffrie Parrish (Framingham, Mass.) attempt was sent sailing away by Anthony Dutra (Warwick, R.I.) with just over four minutes remaining. Regis had one more chance in the opening frame to find a tally when Wade Thongsythavong (Lynn, Mass.) had a free kick from about 30 yards out that was on target, but Dwierawski jumped up and made the save, leaving the Pride facing a 2-0 hole headed into the break.
The first half was fairly balanced as the Wildcats held an 8-7 advantage in shots while Regis held a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.
Angel Aguilar (Silver Spring, Md.) came out firing in the second half as he looked to cut the deficit in half with just over one minute into the period, but it was saved by Dwierawski. That would be the only attempt that would be on goal in the frame, however, as Regis would only muster six shots in the period. The Wildcats would add two more goals from Chris Zappel (Jamaica, N.Y.) and Sam Maker (Naples, Maine), with both rookies netting their first career goals and sealing the 4-0 victory for JWU.
For the game, Johnson & Wales held a 15-13 edge in shots while Regis held a 5-4 lead in corner kicks and both teams were whistled for four offsides each. Ryan Dwierawski picked up his second win of the season while making four saves. Andrew LaMacchia (Lynn, Mass.) would allow three goals and make one save in the setback while Stefan Todorovic (Los Angeles, Calif.) allowed the other Wildcat tally. Fidalgo and Shawn McDonough (Darmstadt, Germany) led the Pride attack, combing for seven shots on the night.
The Crimson and Gold look to snap a two game skid when they host NECC opponent Wheelock College on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. as a part of the Regis College Homecoming events. The Wildcats return to action on Saturday as well, facing off with Albertus Magnus at 3:15 p.m. in a GNAC contest in New Haven, Conn.