WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic men's soccer team played its first home Sunshine State Conference match of the season tonight as they hosted Barry. The Sailfish were dominant on their way to a 3-0 victory as they take their record to 2-1-2 on the season and 1-0-1 in SSC play.
The game got off to a slow start offensively as each side felt their opponents out which produced a tactical matchup early. Each side had four shots as the first half was on the verge of winding down, with the Bucs producing the best chance forcing goalie
Omar Einarsson into a comfortable save. In the final five minutes of the half, the game came to life as
Narcis Bou Dalmau scored in the 42nd minute and then again in the 44th minute to put the 'Fish in control.
The first goal came as
Luke Manley found
Tin Vastic in the box. The Sailfish striker laid a ball off to Bou Dalmau who found the back of the net from the top of the box for his first goal of the season. It had been a slower start to the season for Bou Dalmau as he was an All-SSC performer year, but he couldn't be held down for long as he found the back of the net just minutes later from a similar location.
Harry Gardner's good work defensively earned PBA the ball deep in Barry's territory and he made the critical pass to double the 'Fish lead.
The second half was one sided as the Sailfish held the Bucs without a shot and put the visitor's goal under siege with seven shots on target in the half. PBA ended the game with the third goal in the 77th minute as
Guille Amor Torres found Bou Dalmau on the edge of the box. The Sailfish midfielder scooped a pass to Gardner in the box who touched the ball around the opponent keeper for his second goal of the year. The Sailfish were strong in possession and defensively as they protected Einarsson and forced him to make just the one save on the night.
The win propels the Sailfish up the conference standings and they will look for a similar result this weekend when they head to Lakeland, Fla. to face Florida Southern. The Mocs are 2-2-2 on the season but 0-2 in SSC play so far this year.
