INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian men's soccer team found the back of the net three times Wednesday afternoon, as the Knights rolled to a comfortable 3-1 victory against Oakland City in their home opener to claim their first win of the young season. Marian (1-0-1) received a pair of goals from Sebastian Gonzalez in the win, whose brace helped the Knights continue their undefeated start to the year.

In a physical battle between the Mighty Oaks and Knights, Marian did their best to earn and win possession early in the match, controlling the pace and tempo from the opening kickoff. Marian earned a pair of corner kicks in the first 15 minutes as they sought the opening score of the contest, with Bruno Merle and Phillip Seifert taking the game's first shots. Oakland City would responded with a pair of rapid fire shots at Juan Torres in the 15th minute, but the keeper did his best to keep the clean sheet by making a save after the initial blast was blocked. 

Despite Marian controlling possession, Oakland City was able to break free and catch the Knights off their line, as Evan Reape was able to get around the defense and slash the first goal of the game in the 27th minute. Marian didn't wait long to respond, throwing the counter attack after being fouled 35 yards out from the goal. Yoshiaki Takeishi executed the set piece with a perfect ball for Evan Dawdy, as the sophomore was able to head the ball to teammate Sebastian Gonzalez, allowing the senior to cash the equalizer. Gonzalez would get a pair of opportunities after his 29th minute score, but was denied each time, as the game moved to intermission deadlocked at 1-1.

In the second half Marian again blitzed the Mighty Oaks, taking control of the half early as Samuel Goodin and Seifert put shots on target in the first five minutes. Another set piece opportunity in the 52nd minute would allow the Knights to take the lead, as Takeishi again sent a beautiful ball toward the box on a free kick, with Kyle Alb heading the ball in the direction of Gonzalez. The senior booted the ball past Taylor Harmon of Oakland City and vaulted Marian into the lead, providing a 2-1 lead for the Knights. 

Marian kept steady in their attack and threatened with shot attempts from Kelton Hooker and Alan Tenorio, but the attempts from the strikers were denied by Harmon. In the 68th minute, the Knights found their insurance goal from Bruno Merle, as one of the newest Knights sent a blast from 32 yards out on frame, and snuck the left-footed strike past the keeper to provide Marian with a 3-1 lead. Merle's first goal as a Knight would be the final score of the match, despite Marian managing four additional attempts, including a goal that was waved off to an offsides call.

The Knights 3-1 victory was flooded with a strong offensive performance, as the team took 19 shot attempts with 11 looks on goal, while defensively the Knights allowed 12 shots with only five targets going on frame. Gonzalez led the Knights with five attempts as he scored his first two goals of the season, while Merle's goal came on one of his four attempts. Takeishi led the Knights with two assists in his work while taking all of the team's corner kicks, while Alb and Dawdy each picked up an assist as well. In goal, Juan Torres made four saves, all of which came in the first half as the Knights defense silenced the Mighty Oaks attack in the second stanza.

With the win, the Knights will look to start a streak as they travel to Lourdes on Saturday night for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff against the Gray Wolves. 

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