BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Five different players scored, and Campbell defeated Winthrop 5-0 Saturday night at the Eakes Complex.
Edu Rodriguez saved a fourth minute penalty kick and a breakaway opportunity in the 55th minute to register his second shutout in three matches for the Camels (5-2-3, 1-0-1), who are unbeaten (2-0-1) in their last three outings.
Jalen James,
Adrien Gameiro,
Adrian Morales,
Diego Konincks and
Ethan Roberts tallied for Campbell, which finished with a 14-5 advantage in shots, 10-2 in attempts on target, and did not allow a Winthrop shot over the final 35 minutes.
Nineteen Camels played at least nine minutes and nine different players provided a goal or assist in CU's top offensive performance of the season.
"We're pleased that a lot of guys got to play in the match tonight and got to contribute to a team victory," said Campbell head coach
Dustin Fonder. "We were loose in a couple of areas and have some things to tighten up, but it's always good to get three points in the league."
Bryant Jimenez-Pearce had an early opportunity to put the Eagles (0-10, 0-3) in front after
Tiago Lopes was whistled for a hand ball in the box. However, Rodriguez dove to his right and deflected the penalty kick beyond the left post for a corner.
The Camels went in front after 17 minutes when
Tyler Young fed
Daniel Hernandez, who split the Eagle line with a pass that left James alone. The fifth-year senior slipped the ball past keeper Sam Jones for his fifth goal of the season.
Hernandez again served as provider just over eight minutes later, when he fed
Adrien Gameiro down the right flank and the French freshman blasted a right-footed shot by Jones into the top left corner of the net for his first career goal.
Winthrop's final opportunity came when Grayson Woodard controlled a loose ball behind the Camel back four, but Rodriguez charged off his line and left his feet to preserve Campbell's two-goal edge.
Five minutes later, the Camels added another when
Gerard Broussard slid the ball to
Adrian Morales, who curled a right-footed shot inside the left post for his second strike this season.
James fed
Diego Konincks at the back post for the fourth Camel goal in the 77th minute.
Jack Sias set up fellow freshman
Ethan Roberts in the 81st when Roberts hit a left-footed shot outside the area that bent through traffic and slid inside the left post.
NOTES: Campbell improved to 28-1-5 in its last 34 games (regular season and tournament) vs. Big South foes, including a 22-1-3 mark in regular season play over the last four seasons... CU has won five-straight and 7 of its last 8 meetings with Winthrop… The Camels stand 29-2-6 in their last 37 matches at the Eakes Complex, including a 2-0-2 mark in this season... Under 8th-year Coach
Dustin Fonder, Campbell is 44-17-7 in Buies Creek… Campbell stands 17-0-3 all time in matches when 2021 Big South offensive player of the year (and '22 preseason offensive POTW)
Tyler Young has at least one point, including a 4-0-2 mark this season… Campbell returns to action Wednesday for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Longwood.
