Salem Community College men's soccer program opened its season at home today against the Union County College Owls. The Mighty Oaks in their first home game since the 2013 season went on to beat the Owls, 2-1, to earn their first win of the season and the first win of Head Coach Matt Murray's career at Salem.
The Mighty Oaks scored the lone goal of the first half coming off the foot of Marcos Piao (Sao Jose Dos Campos-SP, Brazil / E.E. Major Aviador Jose Mariotto Ferreira) in the 17th minute. Piao was awarded a penalty kick after being fouled in the box and capitalized off of that opportunity by sinking the ball in the lower left side of the net. Union tied the game ten minutes into the second half, but Salem remained aggressive in front of the net and took back the lead with less than 19 minutes remaining. The go-ahead, and eventual game winning, goal came off of the head of Pedro Paulo Maia (Joao Pessoa-PB, Brazil / Colegio Motiva) after Vasco Almeida (Porto, Portugal / Externato Ribadouro) drove a corner kick to the opposite site of the goal to find him in a crowd of defenders.
The Mighty Oaks will next be in action Wednesday, April 21, for another home matchup against Bookdale Community College starting at 3:30PM. Fans can keep up with the Mighty Oaks at sccmightyoaks.com. Be sure to follow Salem Athletics on Twitter @sccmightyoaks for updates and news on all Salem athletics.
