McLean Scores Twice, SIUE Defense Holds in Cougars' 3-0 Soccer Win Over Valparaiso

Joe Pott

Oct 6, 2019 11:33 AM

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EDWARDSVILLE – Lachlan McLean scored twice and the SIUE's defense held strong as the Cougars defeated Valparaiso 3-0 Saturday at Korte Stadium. It is the Cougars' fourth consecutive shutout win.

SIUE improved to 6-3-1 overall and 5-1 at home this year. Valparaiso fell to 2-7-1.

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McLean's first came at the 11:05 mark when he pounced on a rebound after a hard shot from Jorge Gonzalez was saved. Gonzalez and McLean hooked up again just 1:29 later when Gonzalez carried a ball almost to the end line before sliding a pass across the six-yard box where McLean tapped in for a 2-0 lead.

"You see what happens when we put numbers in front of goal and guys like that can bury chances and make it difficult," SIUE Head Coach Cale Wasserman said. "I was thrilled to get the two-goal lead and even more thrilled to finish 3-0 with another cleansheet."

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The Cougars' third strike came in the 69th minute on a set piece. Jorgen Pettersen delivered a free kick into the box, Matthias Krigbaum headed towards the back post where Jacob Bilyeu finished for his second goal of the year.

SIUE outshot Valpo 12-9. SIUE put nine shots on goal. Valpo goalkeeper Jorn-Jan van de Beld made six saves.

Cougars' goalkeeper Lluís Martorell turned away all four shots on goal from the Crusaders to secure his fourth straight cleansheet. Perhaps Valpo's best chance came in the 66th minute after a free kick from just outside the box. Valpo's Jonas Engler hit a low drive and Martorell made a diving save to his right.

The Cougars will have a week off before traveling to DeKalb, Illinois to open Mid-American Conference play Oct. 12 at Northern Illinois.

"For us to win four on the bounce and be going into a road trip with some confidence is positive," Wassermann said. "The most positive thing for us is that we have a full week to train and prepare and rest and recover and to go into NIU a little more fresh and a little more prepared against a very good MAC team."