No. 20 Radford Collects Third Shutout
RADFORD, Va. – Radford received goals in each half, despite totaling 21 shots with seven on frame as the No. 20 Highlanders blanked their third opponent on the season with a 2-0 victory over Davidson, Saturday night in front of a sizable crowd inside Cupp Stadium.
The Highlander attack came on strong from the start of the match, tallying five shots in the first 14 minutes of the match.
Radford's seventh shot of the evening found the back of the net as newly entered Sivert Daehlie knocked in a rebound off the Wildcat goalkeeper for his second of the season coming in the 22nd minute.
Daehlie's goal was set up by a throw-in from Jakob Strandsäter that found Neil Martorana for a beautiful cross from the right side into the left corner box.
Radford held Davidson without a shot until the 37th minute. The Highlanders controlled a 12-4 shot advantage in the first half.
The second half saw both squads fire shots early, but it wasn't until the 71st minute that a ball found the net as Strandsäter extended the lead on a free kick from just in front of the box.
Strandsäter's first goal of the season and the stout RU defense ensured the Highlanders would capture their third consecutive shutout.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Radford hasn't started its season off 3-0-0 since 1994. The Highlanders started their season off 2-0-1 twice during that span.
- The last time the Highlanders earned three shutout wins in a row came in 2014.
- Radford finished with a 21-12 shot advantage, finishing with nine shots on goal.
- The Highlanders controlled the 20-shot plateau six times during 2015.
- Sivert Daehlie's goal is his second off the bench and first first-half goal.
- Michael Walsh and Neil Martorana led the way with four shots. Martorana finished with three shots on goal.
- Aitor Pouseu Blanco collected his 18th career shutout, finished with six saves.
QUOTABLE
- "I thought we were really good in the first half, playing excellent defense. We had a lot of great chances and we really needed to score more than one in the first half. I wasn't happy with the way we defended and played in the second half. Tonight was a big learning experience and if this group wants to be successful, they are going to have to learn how to play 90 minutes, instead of 45 minutes." ~ Radford head coach Marc Reeves.
UP NEXT
- The Highlanders will hit the road again, but will stay in the Commonwealth, taking on VCU on Sept. 9 and Old Dominion on Sept. 11.
For the latest on Radford Athletics, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Highlander Happenings.
Trending Videos
Headlines
- Recruiting Roundup: November 18-24
- Tracking Division I Coaching Changes
- Men's NCAA Tournament First Round Recap
- TeamRank Presented By TeamSnap - Boys
- Commitments: Pulled to Pittsburgh
- ECNL Girls Ohio Valley Players to Watch
- Top Men's Second Round Pro Prospects
- Midwest High School Roundup - Nov.
- Best of Men's College Soccer Week 13
- Women's DI Tournament Round Two Preview