The Elizabethtown College men’s soccer team showed their dominance this past Saturday as they defeated the Wilkes University Colonels 4 to 1 on Ira R. Herr Field

Senior Adriano Maneo, Jays’ center mid fielder, got the chance to even the score with a corner kick. Striking the ball perfectly, Maneo hit his teammate junior Kyle Volk, who used his head to get the ball through. The Blue Jays bench erupted as the ball passed the keeper. “I practice that shot a lot and it’s one of our best plays,” Maneo said after the game. “I put the ball where it needed to be and my teammate knew where it was going.” The Jays had much success from corner kicks this Saturday.

The Blue Jays did not stop there as junior Luis Devia scored the Jays’ second goal of the game two minutes later, as he dribbled past two opponents, leaving a shot from 18 feet out. This was Devia’s first goal of the season and it gave the  Jays a 2-1 lead. A fire was sparked for the rest of the game as Etown started to dominate Wilkes with ball possession and key passing.  Smart play was the key to victory for the Jays, as they knew where and when to be at the right time.

In the 44th minute the Jays struck their third goal of the game as first-year Shane Votto connected with teammate first-year Cal Graziano on a nice lead pass setting up the successful strike on goal.  The Jays were in the driver’s seat the rest of the game as Wilkes could not manage to find the back of the net.

Nearing the end of the first half Wilkes seemed shocked and confused as the Jays kept the shots coming.  Etown added another goal as the second half got underway.  This goal was to demoralizing the Colonels and set the tone for the rest of the game.  In the 47th minute, The Jays got another chance at a corner kick. First-year Martin Fevre sent a lazer into the middle of the box, as he connected with teammate junior Zach Lee for another headed goal.  Etown looked very smooth on their corner kick attempts.

“We felt confident going into the game,” Maneo said. “We knew it was a game we had to win and should win. I’m happy with the way we played.”  Despite the early goal against them which Maneo claims was “lucky,” Etown was able to bounce back quickly.  “The first half we were a little sloppy. We allowed an early goal but that didn’t stop us from coming right back at them. We’re really starting to mesh as a team and find all the missing pieces.”

Etown’s goal keepers looked very sharp despite the goal early on; both sophomore Justin Signora and first-year Rodrigo Barrera both had two saves for the Jays.  The Jays faced 16 shots, while the Wilkes goalie faced 15.

The Blue Jays improved their overall record to 2-2-1 and have a lot of momentum going into their next game.  Etown will travel this Wednesday to take on The Nuemann University Knights in Aston, Pa.  “I am very confident,” Maneo said. “They are a good team but we can beat them.”