Box Score Box Score
READING, Pa. - A complete team effort led Franklin & Marshall's No. 17 ranked men's soccer team to a 3-0 blanking of Alvernia on Saturday afternoon in non-conference competition.
The Diplomats improved to 2-1 with the road victory while the Golden Wolves fell to 1-3.
A barrage of shots in the early stages of the opening half eventually paid off for F&M when Christian Avila Neres connected on a solo score in the 26th minute to put the Diplomats in front by a 1-0 margin.
F&M was unable to add on before halftime despite heading into the break with a commanding 15-1 advantage in shots and a 3-0 edge in corners.
In the 56th minute, the Diplomats tacked onto their lead when A.J. Kopacz continued his torrid start to the year with his third goal of 2019. Jack Brandt's shot on goal kick-started the play as Kopacz collected the rebound and fired a quick attempt into the back of the net.
Seifu Zerabruk added a tally for good measure in the 89th, collecting a feed from Shay Adamson from just inside the box and beating the goalie for Saturday's third and final goal.
Christopher Amoruso (2-1) stopped the lone shot he faced to snag his first shutout win of the season. His counterpart Luca Grippi picked up the loss after a 13-save effort.
The overall shot count heavily favored the Diplomats at 34-4 for the game with a 19-3 advantage in the second half. Corners also leaned F&M's way at 7-1.
Brandt fired off five shots on the day while Avila Neres and Kopacz notched four each. Dallen Moore has three shots, while five other Diplomats added two apiece.
The Diplomats continue competition on Wednesday with the highly-anticipated Smith-Herr Boot game against Elizabethtown. The road match is set for a 7:30 p.m. start
