WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Palm Beach Atlantic men's soccer program secured a 2-0 victory over Lincoln Memorial in their season opening matchup on Thursday at the Rinker Athletic Campus. The home team maintained a strong defense, achieving a clean sheet with only one save required.
The game opened with PBA on the offensive, as Kobi Thomas was shot out of a cannon early. Thomas put the Railsplitter defense on their heels with early speed and chances. He took several early shots, though they were saved by Lincoln Memorial's goalkeeper, Daniel Miklosi.
"Kobe's a really skillful player, really hardworking player, we knew that he's going to bring some strengths to the game," said Head Coach Lucas Martorana. "I thought that he made an immediate impact and a consistent impact, and that's a credit to the guys as well for each and every one of them, understanding their roles and responsibilities."
At the 18:42 mark, the Sailfish broke the deadlock with Ole Lichter scoring the opening goal, assisted by Thomas after a clean crossover to create space, giving the Sailfish an early 1-0 lead.
"Ole has worked hard. I think he's hungry. I think he's learned a lot being in the college system as a returner, as an experienced player," said Martorana of his new number nine. "One of his exceptional traits is that he's going to work. He's going to work his socks off for us. Sometimes the reward comes in the form of a goal, sometimes the reward comes as an assist, sometimes the reward is the team wins. Really, really happy for him to get that goal. The first goal always takes the weight off the shoulders for a striker."
Throughout the period, the 'Fish maintained pressure, earning multiple corner kicks and shots on goal. Despite several fouls and a yellow card issued to Yassir Smlali, the defense held strong and the first half concluded with PBA ahead 1-0.
PBA extended their lead early in the second period when Simon Buechte scored with assistance from Niklas Mahler at the 50:23 mark, setting the score at 2-0. Buechte used his speed to get past the defender and a hard shot on goal took a touch off a defender and past Miklosi.
The Sailfish defense buckled down over the last 40 minutes and closed out the second half to earn the 2-0 win to open the season. After leading the Sunshine State Conference last season in Goals allowed per game with 0.61 goals per game, the 'Fish earned the clean sheet and picked up right where they left off despite a new cast of characters on the backline.
"We've talked a lot with the guys," said Martorana. "It takes time for them to get confidence and trust in each other. We've got a really good starting place. From the front to the back of the team, including the back line, we have depth. We have guys that want to come in and earn a spot, that competitiveness and that iron sharpens iron is great. Really proud of them. Every team we play is good, there are moments that they have to get through it. They have to defend a cross, defend a through ball. Every team has quality in the attack, and they stepped up and did really well and earned that clean sheet."
The Sailfish keep things rolling in non-conference play and are back in action on Saturday evening when the Carson-Newman Eagles make their way to West Palm Beach. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at the Rinker Athletic Campus.
