Mustangs win final tuneup game before conference begins

In its final game before beginning Golden State Athletic Conference play next week, TMU Men's Soccer was lively offensively in a 3-2 victory over Antelope Valley on Reese Field on Thursday afternoon.
 
"We're excited to get a win in our last non-conference game," Master's Head Coach Jim Rickard said. "We've come a long way since our first game and still need to get some injured players healthy."
 
The Mustangs had several glorious opportunities to score right in front of goal in the opening half, before Aidan Rohde finally broke the deadlock in the 21st minute.
 
From the byline, Corny Miller cut it back to the top of the box, where Theo Kudlo smashed a shot towards goal. The Pioneer goalkeeper saved the shot, but put it straight in the path of Rohde, who headed in his first goal of the campaign.
 
TMU came close to doubling its advantage on multiple occasions, but Antelope Valley took advantage of a set piece opportunity to level the score before halftime.
 
Master's didn't waste much time in the second half to regain its lead, with Corny Miller scoring his first collegiate goal in the 53rd minute. Miller latched onto a long, diagonal ball from Peter Mackay and brought it down before calmly slotting home past the keeper.
 
Miller then turned provider in the 78th minute, playing Giorgio Martino in on a through ball behind the Pioneer back line to put TMU up by two goals.
 
Against the run of play, the visitors made it interesting late on with a goal just over two minutes from time. However, the Mustangs clamped down defensively to preserve the victory and capitalize on their 16-9 advantage in shots, including 8-3 in shots on goal.
 
"I'm happy for Corny to get his first goal along with an assist," Rickard said. "Giorgio and Aidan scored as well, which is good for their confidence going into conference."
 
Master's (3-4-1 overall) begins its GSAC schedule on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. against Vanguard, who is receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll.
 
"We're ready to turn our focus to GSAC and are eager for the challenge," Rickard said.