GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – The Catawba men's soccer team set a new program record with its sixth consecutive shutout in a 2-0 victory at Tusculum behind another sensational defensive effort on Sunday.
The 1992 Catawba men's soccer team's previous mark of five straight shutouts stood alone for 34 years. Héctor Vara now holds the record for goalkeepers, playing all 540 minutes in the crease without allowing a goal during the historic stretch.
Catawba (6-0-2, 3-0-1 SAC) set the tone in the first half by firing off seven total shots, five of which were on goal, and earned three corner kicks while holding Tusculum (1-4-1, 0-2-1 SAC) to just two total shots as Vara saved the only attempt his way.
The blue and white struck first in the 24th minute as Alex Payton found João Magalhães on the right side of the box, who delivered a perfect crossing pass to Gabriel Miranda in front of the net as the senior scored his third goal of the season.
Miranda finished the first 45 minutes with three shots on goal. Leo Souza and Breno Andreucci both went into halftime placing a shot on target as well.
The Catawba Indians continued to dominate in the second frame by adding five more shots and six corners. The Pioneers attempted just two more shots and were unable to receive a corner kick throughout the match, while Vara recorded another save.
The blue and white added insurance late as Magalhães chipped a free kick from the end line across the Pioneer defense to Guilherme Quintas, who headed it straight off the turf and in for his third goal of the year in the 81st minute.
Catawba remains unbeaten on the season and captured sole possession of first place in the South Atlantic Conference by tacking on three more points, bringing the season total to 10.
The Catawba Indians will be at Frock Field on Wednesday, September 30, when they host Lee at 6:30 p.m. in non-conference action for Alumni Day.