Greensboro's sea of red makes it easy for Salisbury
SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury University men's soccer team knew it would be a tough game against Greensboro College on Saturday afternoon but the Pride made it easy for the Sea Gulls to win their sixth game of the year as the Pride racked up three red cards and played a man down for 65 minutes, two men down for 25 minutes. Salisbury scored all five of its goals on man-up opportunities as the Sea Gulls closed out its five-game home stand with an impressive 5-2 victory before 125 at the SU Soccer Complex.

The Sea Gulls (6-2-1) blew open a 1-1 tie in the 65th minute on a Scott Sparrow penalty kick goal, the second penalty kick of the game. Sparrow’s goal set off a flurry of goal activity.

A minute later, Greensboro (2-6-1) knotted the game off a header by junior Josh Strable which was set-up by a cross from midfielder Jay Wyatt. Salisbury regained the lead, for good, 15 seconds later as senior Wijy Jones assisted sophomore Nick Malone for his second goal of the game. Malone leads the team with five goals scored and 12 points.

Freshman Kyle Sterling added to the second half SU scoring barrage with a heads up goal off a loose ball rebound in front of the Greensboro goal. Junior Zach Grubb closed out the scoring with an unassisted goal at the 80th minute.

In the first half, Malone scored his first goal of the game in the 27th minute, off a Sterling assist, from the middle of the box with a shot into the lower right corner.

The Pride tied the game on the game's first penalty kick as Robert Fricke's shot flew by the outstretched arms of junior goalie Matt Blue (two saves). The teams went into halftime tied at one apiece.

Salisbury senior goalie Scott McGuire made his first appearance in three games as he played the entire second half to secure his fourth victory of the year.

The Pride lived up to their physical reputation as they committed 23 fouls and received eight cards (five yellow, three red). The first Greensboro player ejected came 24 minutes into the game which forced the Pride to play man down for 40 minutes when another player drew a red card and was forced to leave. The Pride played the final 25 minutes two men down. The ejections were costly as Salisbury scored all five of its goals on extra man opportunities.

Salisbury head coach Gerry DiBartolo mixed up the starting lineup for today's game as he gave freshmen back Justin McGrath and midfielder Sterling their first collegiate starts of their careers.

The Sea Gulls will return to Capital Athletic Conference action next week as they hit the road to face Goucher College at 4 p.m., Wednesday, October 4.