A 5-0 brace for the first hour helped the University of The Bahamas men's soccer team to edge out the undefeated Western Warriors Titans 5-4 to open Division I play on a winning note Sunday at the Roscow A.L. Davies Soccer Fields.
It was a revenge game for UB in the Bahamas Men's Soccer League after getting trounced by the Titans 5-1 earlier in February. It was the first time UB beat the two-time defending league champions in school history.
UB got two goals each from defensive midfielder Justin Minns and captain and central midfielder Ronaldo Green. Philip Pilgrim scored one goal.
"It felt good to score my first goal. I got the monkey off my back and happy to score two goals," Minns said.
Minns who play center defense moved up to defensive midfielder for this contest and made the most of it. Minns was on the receiving end of a free kick from Kevin Thomas in the 23rd minute. He headed it down before scoring with his right foot to put his squad up 1-0. It was his first goal as a Mingoe.
UB drew a foul just at the top of the 18-yard box. Green elected to take the free-kick in the 28th minute. He saw an opening on the back post and sent the ball past an outstretched Warriors goalkeeper to score the goal to put UB up 2-0.
UB was on the attack once again, this time on the left flank that saw Elijah Mitchell beat the left back and got inside the 18-yard box. Mitchell sent a driving cross across the face of the goal. A lurking Pilgrim used his right feet to score the goal in the 32nd minute to put UB up 3-0. Titans tried to pull one back ln UB before the half but they were unable to get past the defense as UB held the 3-0 lead at the intermission.
It was an even game right out the half-time break but Minns controlled a corner kick from Thomas and beat the goalkeeper near post to put his squad up 4-0 in the 55th minute. UB was not finished yet as Green got a break away and got fouled to win a penalty kick. Green elected to take the penalty-kick that went low left and past the keeper who barely moved to give UB the 5-0 lead at the 59th minute mark. It turned out to be the game-winning goal for UB.
"This game helps to build morale and to show other teams and our players that we can do it. We executed the plan perfectly and we came out with the three points," Green said.
UB looked like they were going to win the game easily, but the Titans were not going to give up as they poured in four goals before the full-time whistle blew and UB got the win.
UB's head caoch, Alex Thompson said it was a collaborative win.
"We sat back and let them have possession and we decided to attack them in space and fortunately for us, the game plan worked," Thompson said.
The win has UB sitting in second place with three points in the second round Division I play.
UB returns to the field at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 6 against Renegades F.C. who leads Division I.