WEST POINT, N.Y. – Freshman forward Nick Williams scored two first-half goals as the Army men’s soccer team defeated Virginia Military Institute, 3-0, in the season opener for both teams on Friday afternoon at Clinton Field.

Sophomore forward Nick Baietti also tallied for Army (1-0-0), and junior goalkeeper Winston Boldt turned away two shots to record the shutout.

“To start the season off on the right note is everything,” said Army head coach Russell Payne. “[The freshmen] played with confidence and that’s all we’ve asked them to do.”

Senior Daniel Kitchen made five stops in net for VMI (0-1-0).

Each team had a shot in the opening 6:39 before Army scored in the ninth minute, when Williams won the ball near the edge of the 18-yard box and dribbled around the goalkeeper to put the Black Knights on top, 1-0. Williams added to Army’s lead in the 30th minute, when he headed home a deflected cross from the right side for his second tally of the contest. The Black Knights won a pair of corner kicks during a stretch of 8:15 late in the first half, but were not able to capitalize on those chances.

Army moved in front by three goals in the 55th minute when Baietti tiptoed around a trio of VMI defenders to beat Kitchen on the left side. The Black Knights held a 6-1 advantage in shots over the game’s final 35:39, including a header by freshman midfielder Alex Jaroscak that sailed just over the Keydets’ crossbar in the 88th minute.

Army returns to action on Monday, Sept. 2, when the Black Knights host Manhattan. Kickoff for the non-conference match is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Match Notes: Army improves to 2-0 all-time versus VMI … Nick Williams scored his first career tally during his two-goal performance … the Black Knights won their second straight opener, improving to 2-2 in opening matches under head coach Russell Payne.

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