Men's Soccer Scores Twice in Second Half to Win vs. Mount Vernon Nazarene

Men's Soccer Scores Twice in Second Half to Win vs. Mount Vernon Nazarene
September 13, 2025

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar men's soccer team returned to Lake Trust Stadium Saturday evening to play the previously unbeaten Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars in a non-conference bout.

Cleary would have the better of the chances in the early action, as Adam Baldwin got behind the defense, but his shot took a deflection and was easily saved by the MVNU goalkeeper.  MVNU would respond with a chance of their own in the 17th minute, as MVNU's Baba Sarr's shot hit the left post and fortunately bounced out before being cleared by the Cleary backline, preserving the 0-0 tie.  It looked like the two teams would head into the half scoreless, but MVNU found a breakthrough in the 42nd minute, with a give-and-go action got the MVNU's Miguel Bello behind the defense, where he was able to beat goalkeeper Enrico Bibbo to put the visitors up 1-0.

In the second half, Cleary sat back and absorbed the MVNU pressure, and looked to attack on the counter.  That plan worked in the 69th minute, as Cleary would find their equalizer.  Adam Baldwin forced a turnover on the right wing, and dribbled the ball into the middle of the field.  Baldwin drew the defenders toward him to free up space behind the defense for Callum Johnson, who fired a shot with power at the net.  MVNU's goalkeeper would make the save, but the ball bounced directly to the head of Miguel Andriano Castillo, who headed the ball into the back of the net to tie the game.  In the 72nd minute, Cleary's Oscar Clarke committed a red card foul, and Cleary would have to play the remainder of the game down a player.  After play resumed, Cleary's Jack Heald forced a turnover, deflecting the ball to teammate Luca Taylor.  Taylor would pass the ball up to Miguel Andriano Castillo, who held up the ball, turned to his right and fired a shot passed the MVNU goalkeeper and into the lower right corner of the net to give the Cougars a 2-1 lead with 18 minutes to play.  Cleary's defense would see out the game, securing the victory by a 2-1 score.

Enrico Bibbo earned his third win of the season, making 4 saves on 5 shots faced.  Miguel Andriano Castillo's brace now gives him 4 goals on the season.  MVNU outshot Cleary 18-10 in the game, while both teams had 5 shots on target in the game.  Cleary committed 13 fouls to MVNU's 10, while MVNU held a 6-2 advantage on corner kicks.

The win gives Cleary a 5-1 record on the season.  Cleary will be back in action for the non-conference finale on Wednesday, September 17, when they host the Calumet College Crimson Wave at Lake Trust Stadium.  The game is scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM.