Box Score Maryville College's Tim Baker broke the Maryville College season assist record on Tuesday night, as the senior recorded his 15th assist of the year in a 5-1 win over Sewanee.
Baker set the assist mark, as the Scots won their ninth-straight victory. That win is a school-record streak, besting Maryville's win streak of eight set in 2000 and 2006. The Scots are now 12-2-0 on the year.
"Well, if you want honesty, I didn't know that was the record," Head Coach Pepe Fernandez said. "They are playing great soccer. They are play Maryville soccer, and they are playing great team defense. They are pressing hard and playing composed. It's been a pretty special few weeks here. It's been a special couple of months. Our goal is to keep it going in that direction. Anytime you win that many games in a row, it's a pretty collective effort of a lot of different players. I'm really proud of them."
Baker broke MC's season assist record that had stood for 23 years, previously held by All-American Jody Tootle in 1993 and Matt Grandstand in 1988. Baker set the mark on a cross to Cody VanKerschaever in the 51st minute of play to put his name atop the record books.
Baker currently ranks second in the nation across all divisions – Division I, II and III – with his 15 assists. Only Jovanni Garcia of New Rochelle has more with 18 assists on the year.
"You know, that year, Jody had one of the greatest seasons in Maryville history," Fernandez said. "He was an All-American. That's kind of the kind of season you compare Timmy to having. Now that he has surpassed that, it is pretty unbelievable. The boys were singing on the bus, 'There's only one Timmy Baker,' and I think that is pretty appropriate."
With Baker's mark on Tuesday, he moves into a tie for third Paul Wiek (2000). Both Baker and Weik have 28 career assists, only eight behind the leader, Tootle.
Baker is only two out of second, as All-American Chris Reid tallied 30 assists in his career.
Maryville struck first on Tuesday night, as Baker notched a goal just 5 minutes into play. Lucas found him in the box, as Baker slipped the shot past Tiger keeper, Will Merriman.
Bret Thomas would score just 4:32 later, as he found the unassisted goal. He got in front of a high losse ball, settling it in front of him. He shot to the low post, as Maryville led 2-0 in the first 10 minutes of action.
The Tigers would find their only just 1:08 later. Marco Randazzo took the cross from Kyle Johnston, and used a header to slip it past MC' Ryan Jorgensen. The Scots held a 2-1 lead at the 10:58 mark.
During the 41st minute, the Scots would find their third goal of the match. Thomas Palmer was fouled in the box, as he took the penalty shot. He scored to give Maryville a 3-1 advantage at the half.
Baker broke the MC record during the 51st minute. The senior slipped a cross in front of VanKerschaever for a 4-1 lead and a place atop the Scots' record books.
Maryville's Palmer would score his second goal of the match during the 64th minute on a 35-yard shot. It hit at the low post for the 5-1 final.
Jorgensen tallied three saves in 81:51 in the net for MC, as he moved to 12-2-0 on the season.
Sewanee's goalies, Merriman and Ben Shankle were peppered on Tuesday, as Maryville posted 13 shots on goal. Merriman turned away seven in the loss, as the Scots tallied 27 total shots on the afternoon.
Maryville will now focus on a USA South Championship. The Scots face conference front-runner N.C. Wesleyan at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Methodist University on Sunday. If the Scots win both those matches, the Orange and Garnet will claim their first USA South regular season men's crown.
