Box Score Scots Legend Reaches Men's Victory Mark
MARYVILLE – When you work twice as hard, you deserve to celebrate now and again. Tonight was one of those reward nights for Maryville's Pepe Fernandez.
The Scots fought for a 3-1 victory over Berea that not only kept them in first place in the USA South's Western Division, but it also marked win No. 400 for Fernandez in his Maryville men's coaching career.
Fernandez improved to 400-171-38 on the men's side for a .688 winning percentage. He's at 382-157-39 (.695) with the women, making a combined Maryville soccer coaching record of 782-328-77 (.691).
Tuesday night at the MC Soccer Complex, Austin Vinyard scored his team-leading ninth and 10th goals of the season. The first one was a rifle shot from more than 20 yards out that the Berea goalkeeper slowed down but couldn't stop from crossing the line. The second one was similar in that Vinyard got the best of the Berea keeper and this time bounced it over his head for the final 3-1 margin.
In between, Ndubueze Henry scored his sixth goal of the season on a pass from Ryan Clift. The Mountaineers, who fell to 1-10-1 overall and 0-4 in the USA South, kept things interesting by scoring midway in the first half to trim the Maryville lead to 2-1.
"We haven't played very well out last two games," Fernandez said. "You don't want to discredit a few of our guys because a few have had excellent games, but as a team we're just not clicking right now."
Fernandez said mental fatigue from all the overtime games may be a cause. And it's a young group.
Two Wins from a Division Title
"Everything's been on the line all the time, and we've pushed them hard," Fernandez said. "But they continue to win, they continue to be successful, we're in first place, and if we win both of our remaining games, we'll win the division. Four points might do it."
Maryville stands at 3-0-1 on 10 points in the conference, with Huntingdon second at 2-0-1 for seven points. Covenant (1-0-2) and Brevard (1-1-2) are tied with five points apiece.
The Scots travel to Brevard this Saturday afternoon and entertain Huntingdon for Homecoming on Oct. 23. The USA South conference tournament begins Oct. 30 on the men's side.
Among those Fernandez singled out for excellent play Tuesday night were Noah Putman on defense, Grayson Dugan in midfield, Henry, and then Brooklyn Muccillo and Jorge Graniel off the bench.
"Jorge was just electric out there," Fernandez said. "When he went onto the field, he changed the game – and he deserved a goal."
Maryville's 10th victory – the Scots are 10-2-1 – marked the 29th season on the men's side that Fernandez has coached at least a 10-win campaign.
