STERLING, Kan. — Sterling (1-2-0) defeated Ecclesia College (0-3-0) 4-1 on Monday. Sterling recorded 38 shots, including 20 on goal, while holding Ecclesia College to 14 shots and seven on goal. Sterling scored once in the first half and three times after halftime, and its goalkeeper was credited with six saves.
Sterling broke through at 40:22 when Bailey Allen scored the first goal off an assist from Jack Nickson, giving Sterling a 1-0 lead. Earlier, Cassidy Kelly kept Ecclesia College off the board with three saves in the opening nine minutes as Sterling faced the first wave of shots. Sterling then created repeated chances, including Erick Camarillo hitting the crossbar, Michael Kyalo putting multiple attempts on frame or near goal, and Ecclesia College making defensive saves against Nickson and Kyalo. Sterling finished the half with 17 shots and two corner kicks, and carried the 1-0 lead into halftime.
Sterling added three goals in the second half, starting when Kyalo scored at 52:42 off assists from Julio Blanco and Allen to make it 2-0. The goal followed a run of Sterling pressure that included earlier attempts by Kyalo, Allen and Darragh Synnott, with Kyalo forcing a save less than a minute before finishing. Kelly kept Ecclesia College off the board through the middle stretch with saves in the 66th, 68th and 82nd minutes, while Sterling continued to create chances through Juan Gomez Carvajal, Zachariah Martìnez, Zeran Martinez, Esteban Ordoñez, Synnott and Allen. Nickson closed Sterling’s scoring with goals at 87:54 and 89:16, the second assisted by Martinez, before Jahmaine Bartlette scored in the final minute as Sterling finished a 4-1 win.
Nickson scored twice, added an assist and put all four of his shots on goal. Kyalo recorded the game-winning goal and led Sterling with eight shots, including five on frame. Allen added a goal and an assist while taking six shots, three on goal.
Kelly finished with six saves in 90 minutes.
Up next, the Warriors (1-2) will head to Hesston College (3-0-1) on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors’ live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
