SALT LAKE CITY —  Westminster College men's soccer took control early, netting a pair of goals in the opening 10 minutes and adding a third in the first half, as it concluded its 2021 preseason exhibition schedule with a 3-2 win over United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) opponents, San Juan F.C., on Saturday night at Dumke Field.

The Griffins had all of the early running, directing 13 total first-half shots toward San Juan F.C. keeper, Phil Padilla.  Westminster's opening goal came less than five minutes into the first half as an aggressive Griffins press provided Jace Vance the space to play a ball across the penalty area to the feet of Luke Merrill, who finished the early opportunity to put Westminster ahead, 1-0. 

Just two minutes later, that high press again created space behind the San Juan defense for Westminster, only this time it was Merrill who played a centering ball to forward, Cole Kartchner.  Kartchner put away his scoring chance and the Griffins held a 2-0 lead just six minutes into the match.

Brennan Neeley added to the Westminster lead in the 23rd minute, scoring off of a lifted through ball from Carlos Becerra-Gomez to give the Griffins a 3-0 advantage, which they carried into the half.

San Juan F.C. saw its first goal on a 64th minute penalty, but the Griffins' second unit, who played the final half hour of the exhibition, was able to preserve the winning result for Westminster.

Westminster will now turn its attention to non-conference play as the Griffins will host their regular season-opener on Thursday, Sept. 4, against Humboldt State University beginning at 7:30 p.m. (MDT).

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