Tentchou Brace Fuels Convincing Win Over No. 24 GSU

LIMA, OH - After having their opening day spoiled by (RV) Carroll on Friday, UNOH men's soccer righted the ship in convincing fashion Sunday afternoon scoring three second-half goals to upset No. 24 Governors State 3-1.

The game on the pitch didn't match the game on the scoreboard in the first 45 minutes thanks to a Jaguar corner kick that floated over the keeper and snuck inside the far post for a direct goal and an early 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. It was the only shot of half for Governors State as the Racers dominated possession and pace but couldn't find the finishing touch. UNOH took ten total shots but put just two on target to carry a 1-0 deficit into the locker room.

The Racers' steady work and control of the game finally paid off just three minutes into the second half after taking the ball away in their defensive third. Center back Josh Pearson quickly played the ball ahead to Leonard K.Assouan who launched a first touch bomb down the field and behind the Jaguar defense. Streaking through the backline, Michel Tentchou needed just a light touch to lay the ball up to himself keeping it low to beat the keeper and tie the match in the 49th minute.

Both teams traded chances but neither could get in front holding steady at 1-1 into the final 20 minutes of the game. With the ball at midfield, UNOH went to work in possession playing it out wide to Aimar Lezana on the left wing. Lezana sent a short cross into the box that was cut off by a defender but deflected straight to the feet of Raul Oliu. Oliu played the ball through on his first touch rolling it right past an unsuspecting Jaguar defender. A quick turn from Natxo Sanchez set him up one-on-one with the keeper and he blasted it near side before the keeper could react to put the Racers in front 2-1.

Sensing their opponent on ropes, UNOH worked to win a loose ball in midfield less than two minutes later and set up another quick counter opportunity. It was once again Oliu breaking down the defense and finding Tentchou five yards outside the penalty box with just one defender to beat. Tentchou drove hard to his right before using a brilliant back heel to switch direction and cut across the defenders face. As his mark stumbled, Tentchou used pace to work into the middle of the box creating just enough space to rip the ball past a diving keeper and into the bottom corner for a 3-1 lead that would hold through the final horn.

"The boys had some adversity today," stated head coach Tyler Brock following the match, "but I think they handled it rather well. I'm very happy with the intensity and the level of play throughout the match. The energy on the bench was great and our subs came on and changed the game. That's something we challenged them on."

All three goals scored for the Racers came off the bench as they racked up 15 total shots as a team with six on goal. UNOH also shut down a dangerous Governors State attack holding the Jaguars to just five total shots and three on target.

"Our defense did a really good job today limiting their opportunities," Brock continued. "It was a very consistent and promising performance from the boys. Now it's time to get some rest and get ready for the next one."

The next one will come six days from today when UNOH plays host to No. 21 Marian in game two of the UNOH Labor Day Classic. That match will take place 30 minutes after game one between No. 4 Cumberlands and (RV) Westcliff. 

Day two of the Labor Day Classic will be on September 1 and will see UNOH square off with Westcliff at 11:00 AM followed by Cumberlands and No. 24 Governors State.