Nikolas Rodriguez Alzate scored twice, including the game-winning goal at 83:42, as West Florida defeated Bellarmine 3-2 Saturday in Pensacola, Fla. The match was tied 2-2 when Rodriguez Alzate converted Rafael Esteves’ assist to put West Florida ahead. The result moved West Florida to 2-5-1 overall and 2-2-0 in Atlantic Sun Conference play.
Rodriguez Alzate put two of his four shots on frame, while Esteves recorded three assists and took four shots. Chase Haskins scored West Florida’s first goal on his only shot attempt. Tomas Valles Gilbert made eight saves over 90 minutes as West Florida protected the one-goal lead.
West Florida responds after Bellarmine strikes first
Bellarmine took a 1-0 lead at 11:11 on Bartosz Wojda’s goal. West Florida answered at 18:33 when Haskins finished Esteves’ assist to tie the match. Bellarmine created a run of chances from 25:06 to 30:09, but Valles Gilbert made two saves during the stretch, and West Florida also put an Adrian Rodriguez shot on frame.
West Florida pressed late in the half with three shots between 40:13 and 44:40, along with a corner kick at 44:46. The teams entered halftime tied 1-1. West Florida finished the match with seven shots on goal, compared with 10 for Bellarmine.
Rodriguez Alzate delivers the decisive goal
Wojda scored again at 50:40 off Colin Mackey’s assist to give Bellarmine a 2-1 lead. West Florida responded with two saved shots by Adrian Rodriguez and three corner kicks over the next 17 minutes. Bellarmine also generated corner kicks at 70:21, 74:22 and 78:36.
Rodriguez Alzate tied the match at 79:45 on another assist from Esteves. Less than four minutes later, Esteves found Rodriguez Alzate again, and the West Florida player scored at 83:42 for the 3-2 lead. Valles Gilbert stopped Gavin Crowe’s shot at 86:55 before West Florida closed out the victory.
Wojda scored both of Bellarmine’s goals. Bellarmine fell to 5-2-2 overall and 1-2-0 in conference play, while West Florida secured its second conference victory.
Records and next match
West Florida will travel to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to face North Carolina on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. The match will be West Florida’s next opportunity to add to its 2-2-0 Atlantic Sun Conference record.
FSB Take
West Florida overcame two Bellarmine leads in Pensacola to earn a 3-2 conference victory. Rodriguez Alzate supplied the decisive scoring, Esteves assisted on all three West Florida goals and Valles Gilbert made eight saves. The Argonauts now turn to a road match against North Carolina after improving to 2-5-1 overall.
Source: Original report