Frostburg, Md.-The Frostburg State men's soccer team got their season started at Bobcat Stadium with an 8-0 loss to the 2019 NCAA National Champion Charleston Golden Eagles.
 
The early minutes were balanced between the sides, with Charleston dominating possession and the Bobcats looking to play on the counter. It was this strategy that led to an early opportunity for Vaughn Phillips, who spun in behind the Golden Eagle defense but couldn't lift the ball over goalkeeper Marc Torrado, who was able to make an easy save to the right of the goal.
 
Charleston continued to pile on pressure, which eventually paid off on a cross from the left side to the back post, where Alex Townley was fouled by center-back Gage Adam. The resulting penalty was smashed home by Christos Charalambous to give the Golden Eagles a 1-0 lead just before the 18 minute mark.
 
Just three minutes later, the Golden Eagles doubled their lead after a great cross from right-back Sam Bethel was finished at the back post by Charleston's striker Gabriel Rodriguez.
 
Playing in the #10 role, Eduardo Iranzo gave the Bobcats problems all afternoon, as it was his cross that was deflected by Bobcat keeper Joel Assal and finished at the back post by Bethel to make it 3-0.
 
Charleston almost made it 4-0 before Assal made a great save at the feet of Townley.
 
The Golden Eagles did make it 4-0 after Adam committed another foul in the box, with the resulting PK again put away by Charalambous. The score went into half-time 5-0 as Iranzo again turned provider, with his cross finding Adam Burchell.
 
In the 2^nd half, Iranzo got on the scoresheet as he picked the ball up at the 40 yard line, drove right past the Bobcat defense, and finished with a tidy shot to the far post.
 
Charleston made it 7-0 as Charalambous hit a wicked shot against the crossbar, which was headed into an empty net by Townley.
 
As the game winded down, Burchell unleashed a rocket to the top right corner with 42 seconds left to end the game at 8-0.
 
The Bobcats return to action next Sunday, February 28^th, as the host the Wheeling Cardinals at Bobcat Stadium at 2 PM. For more information head to frostburgsports.com.