Beavers' Auwalu Too Much for Lightning in Loss

A scoring barrage from an unexpected source combined with several key absences led to a dispiriting 4-1 loss on the windy campus of the City College of New York for the visiting Lightning men's soccer team on Saturday afternoon.

The Beavers' Amir Auwalu, he of one previous goal scored this season, will want to make sure to have the same thing for breakfast before the next match as he poured in four goals in leading CCNY to the win.

Auwalu wasted no time getting on the board, putting a shot past Lighting fill-in keeper Thaddeus Ikwuka less than one minute into the match. Ikwuka, normally a stalwart in the defensive backfield for Lehman, was pressed into action due to the Lightning playing without number one goalkeeper Marcos Coto-Batres.

Goal number two was the result of some good fortune as Auwalu converted on a penalty kick at 21:18 to give CCNY the 2-0 lead.

Auwalu's outburst continued in the second half when he beat Lehman's second keeper of the match, Babatunde Oyetunji, off a pass from Muhammad Zakari at 66:30. For Zakari it was his second assist of the contest.

To cap his career day, Auwalu struck once more in the 82nd minute to put CCNY in front 4-0.

Lehman's Miguel Espino added a late goal on a no doubt rocket, his first of the season, to complete the final 4-1 margin. The play of Espino, who has been pining for an opportunity to contribute, was an eye opener in an otherwise forgettable game.

“Miguel has been waiting for a chance,” said Andre. “After today I know he can step in and help.”

One non-conference match against William Paterson remains on Thursday for the Lighting before CUNYAC Championship play begins one week from Wednesday.

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