Point Park men’s attack shines in ‘Pittsburgh Derby’ win vs Carlow

Ivai Warella scored his first goal as a Pioneer. Photo courtesy Point Park University Athletics.

FINAL – Point Park 6, Carlow 3

BOX SCORE

From Point Park University Athletics 

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. — Point Park University men’s soccer ran out to a 5-0 lead in Thursday afternoon’s 6-3 victory at Carlow University in a River States Conference game at Montour Junction Sports Complex.

Mitchell Roell, a senior forward from South Park, scored a hat trick and put up three of the first four goals of the game. Roell, who had seven points on the day, scored twice in the first half as the Pioneers (1-1, 1-0 RSC) built a 3-0 lead at halftime.

Roell scored in the 10th and 13th minutes for early control. Left back Gabriel Mousa came up to make a great cross on the first goal, and Roell headed the ball past the keeper.

The Pioneers worked the ball down the left side for the second goal as well. That time, it was Lorenzo Diaz and Geert Bijl who connected on passes to set up Roell for goal as he slid along the goal line.

Before the half was through, a couple of subs created a goal. Conner Kelly forced a turnover deep in the Carlow end and then got the ball over to Ivai Warella for the finish from in close. It was the first goal as a Pioneer for the junior college transfer, and it came in the 40th minute.

Roell made his hat trick in the opening minute of the second half after Ibrokhim Mirzakhonov’s cross was muffed by the keeper and went right to Roell. Roell and Kelly connected for a goal in the 54th minute as Roell’s pass found a sliding Kelly along the 6-yard line.

Carlow cut into the 5-0 lead when it scored the next two goals. Point Park pushed things to 6-2 when Niyonyishu Heritier scored an unassisted tally in the 80th minute.

Point Park used all 20 players and both goalkeepers who were dressed for the game. Sean O’Hea played the first 45 minutes in goal in three saves while Andrew Russell played the second half with one save.

The win was the first victory for Ed Child as head coach of Point Park men’s soccer. It was also his first win in collegiate men’s soccer. He took over in August for the retired Jeroen Walstra after being assistant coach the last 14 years.

Point Park’s scheduled home game versus Ohio Christian on Sept. 26 has been postponed. A makeup date versus the Trailblazers is TBA. Check back at PointParkSports.com for updates. The next scheduled game is Oct. 3 at Brescia (Ky.).