Heydon nets pair to propel Andrew to 4-0 win over Itawamba CC
CUTHBERT, Ga. -- Freshman Connor Heydon (New South Wales, Australia) scored twice in the first half on Tuesday afternoon as Andrew (9-3-0) defeated Itawamba CC (4-5-1), 4-0 in a non-region match at Hord Athletic Complex.
Heydon put Andrew ahead on a goal in the 10th minute, thanks to creative play by Jerry Celestin (Orlando, Fla.) who turned and beat two players after receiving a penetrating pass from Lalo Magana (Gainesville, Ga.). Heydon burst through the ICC backline and tucked away from close range past Keaton Halbert for a 1-0 lead.
Twenty minutes later Heydon got on the end of a cross from Lewis Jones (Liverpool, England) for a finish from close range to give Andrew a 2-0 lead at the break. The goal, Heydon's 13th of the season continues to rank the freshman among the NJCAA top goalscorers and point takers. On the season Heydon ranks No. 10 in goals (13) and No. 11 in points (30) in the nation and ranks No. 1 in both in Region 17.
Andrew controlled the second half with two more goals. Daniel Bile (Norcross, Ga.) scored after Macauley Hill's (Manchester, England) strike from 30-yards out struck the crossbar and fell to the Georgia native who finished from a tight angle past second half substitue Thomas Blake for a 3-0 lead.
With 10 minutes remaining Jones turned and hit the ball on the full volley after McKenzie Thomas (Panama City Beach, Fla.) found the Liverpool man in the middle of the pitch. Jones' strike from distance found the far corner to give Andrew a commanding 4-0 win.
The Fighting Tigers defense limited the Indians to just three shots on the day and goalkeeper Josh Kennedy collected his first career shutout and the team's third of the season making both saves required.
The Fighting Tigers return to action on Friday, Oct. 2 when they host the Hornets from Concordia College - Alabama, at 5 p.m. for Andrew College Homecoming at Hord Athletic Complex.
NOTES
Ranked: The Fighting Tigers ranked as high as No. 16 in both the NJCAA and NSCAA Coaches polls this season breaking an 11-year drought.
Stats: Out of 142 NJCAA Division I men's sides earning stats in 2015 the Andrew attack ranks No. 6 in assists (43), No. 18 in goals scored (39) and No. 18 in shots (170) on the season.
Breaking Good: With its 2-1 season opening victory over (RV) Patrick Henry CC on Aug. 21 Andrew College broke a streak of 23 straight losses to NJCAA Division I opponents that lasted 1,054 days. The previous victory came Oct. 1, 2012 when AC defeated Georgia Military 1-0.
Scoring: The boys in Blue & Gold set the mark for the most goals in a modern day season scoring 39 with five regular season matches remaining. The mark of 35 was set in 2013 when Andrew went 4-10-2 overall.
Top Opposition: Andrew College is 2-0-0 against teams receiving votes in the 2015 NJCAA Division I Preseason National Poll.
Close: The Fighting Tigers are 2-1-0 in one goal games.
Road Boys: The Fighting Tigers are 4-1-0 away from Hord Athletic Complex including a perfect 2-0-0 in neutral site matches.
Newbies: 28 newcomers have appeared in at least one game for the Fighting Tigers.