CARY, N.C. - The Pacers were back at home on Tuesday for another non-conference test on a beautiful evening at WakeMed soccer park. The Pacer hopped out to an energetic start, continuing to build confidence in their attack.
An accurate shot from Freshman Ibra Ndiaye and a nearly world class header that rang the crossbar from senior Ausar Omwenga both came within the first 5 minutes of the game. The Quakers were able to deny both chances, but it was clear the first half was going to be an uphill battle for the visitors.
The Quakers mustered up an offensive attack in the 8th minute, winning a free kick just outside the box. However the shot on frame was easily dealt with by senior goalkeeper Ayden Miller.
The game slowed down after the rush of the first 10 minutes, both teams trading possession around midfield. The Quakers saw their best chance of the first half in the 17th minute when forward Frankie Avalos riffled a shot towards the bottom left corner. Miller quickly dove and absorbed the shot, keeping it out of the net.
The back and forth possession battle continued as Pacer midfielder Ethan Gillette had a loose ball drop to him inside the box, his shot was parried away, ending the chance.
Six minutes later, Pacer forward Ausar Omwenga carried the ball up the left side, looking for a teammate to enter the box. The senior launched a spinning ball toward the six yard box. One lucky bounce later and it was in the back of the net. Omwenga gets the goal credit on what was a costly mistake by the Quaker goalkeeper.
A class save around 10 minutes later from Ayden Miller preserved the Pacer lead. The halftime score read 1-0 in favor of Peace.
Much like the start of the game, the Pacers came out of the locker room with a vengeance. Just two minutes into the second half, Ausar Omwenga added his second goal of the game on a beautifully played long ball from Ethan Gillette.
The tone was quickly set and the Pacers did not let up. It seemed as though the Pacers maintained possession for the next 15 minutes of the ball game as the defense was sound, and the passing was precise.
The Pacers had a chance at the dagger in the 57th minute, when Rafa Quevedo Antunez slid a low ball towards the goal, just missing low right.
Peace maintained a steady dose of pressure on the Guilford defense, never letting the Quakers up for air. The Pacers eventually got that dagger goal, when Nathan Cochran flicked a header into the side netting off an in-swinging corner kick from Santiago Escobar.
Much to the liking of senior goalkeeper Ayden Miller, the clean sheet was maintained as any last chances for Guilford were snuffed out by sound team Pacer defense.
The Pacers grabbed another multi goal win Tuesday night, this one 3-0. Peace now has a quick turnaround and heads up to Virginia Beach tomorrow to take on Regent.
