GOSHEN, Ind. - Men's soccer beat Rochester Christian 8-3 on Wednesday evening, finishing their nonconference schedule with a 6-1-1 record. Before conference play, the Leafs have already surpassed their win total from a season ago and have more wins than any season since 2021. The Leafs have not lost in their five home matches this season and are currently on a four game win streak.

This was the third time in school history that the Leafs won by an 8-3 score. The last time was in 1979 against Marion (now Indiana Wesleyan) and the other was in 1966 against the University of Notre Dame.

Goshen led almost immediately, with a second minute goal from Diogo Coelho, his second of the season, on a pass from Alejandro Portocarrero. William Jackson scored his third goal of the year on an assist from Iker Fernandez-Andes in the 17th minute and Goshen's third goal of the half came with 12 seconds remaining. Pedro Diegues sent a diagonal ball to the right post, which found Nicolas Amarilla Vargas.

Like the first half, the Leafs scored quickly in the second half as well. Adrian Gonzalez Martinez scored just two minutes in on a cross from Diogo Coelho. However, the Warriors got on the board in the 56th minute and then right after in the 57th minute on a penalty kick goal. Just a couple minutes later, Goshen answered with a goal from Stephen Bandi and then two more goals in the next 12 minutes. Iker Fernandez-Andes had one, assisted by Eli Simones. Adrian Gonazalez Martinez had the next, his third of the season, on a pass from Vitor Cassol Zimmerman. RCU tacked on one more goal before Jethro Ndyomugabe put in his fourth of the season, assisted by Nicolas Amarilla Vargas.

This was the first time that Goshen had seven goal scorers in a game since a 10-0 win against Grace Bible on September 13, 2003.

Goshen had 19 shots with 12 on goal. While the Leafs had more fouls (12-3), the Warriors racked up more yellow cards (4-2). 24 players got playing time for Goshen. 11 players had at least one goal or assist. Adrian Gonzalez Martinez was the only player with multiple goals.

Eli Simones has an assist in each of the last three games. With five on the season, he currently leads the Crossroads League in the category. In seven matchups against the Warriors going back to 2004, Goshen has never lost, posting a 5-0-2 record. Goshen was the fourth Crossroads League opponent that RCU has played this season. And while RCU didn't score against any of those three opponents, none of the Crossroads schools scored more than four goals. The three schools combined to score nine goals, while Goshen had eight themselves.

Goshen has 27 goals this season heading into conference play. They had 27 goals during the entire 2024 season.

The Leafs start Crossroads League action on the road at Mount Vernon Nazarene on Wednesday, September 24, at 7:00 pm.