RiverHawks Roll Over St. Edwards

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Sam Varnalls scored two goals in leading Northeastern State to a 7-2 rout of St. Edwards University in men's soccer Sunday afternoon on the RiverHawks' pitch.

The RiverHawks improve to 8-6, while St. Edwards falls to 5-5-2.

Northeastern State opened the scoring at 23:44 when the RiverHawks scored on an own goal. It was followed by Sambo Claros' goal, on an assist by Cory Schmeling, on a shot just outside the box from 18 yards away at 37:14 for a 2-0 Northeastern State lead.

Varnalls scored his first goal of the game at 39:56 on a header from 8-yards out on a  Pedrag Simic assist upping the RiverHawks lead to 3-0.

St. Edwards got on the scoreboard just before the half ended, when Trey Perkins scored at 42:01. St. Edwards then struck early in the second half, cutting the RiverHawks lead to 3-2 when Scott Streckland scored at 49:01.

Northeastern State made it a 4-2 game when Andre Hernandez scored on a direct kick  20 yards from the net at the 51:48 mark.

Varnalls put home his second goal at 65:08 on assists by Cory Cipollone and Andre Hernandez for a 5-2 RiverHawks advantage.

The RiverHawks put the game out of reach for St. Edwards when Alex Novoa scored on a header from a Michael Wilson assist at 70:44 giving Northeastern State a 6-2 advantage. Josh Hughes then scored on a cross from Claros from 5-yards out to the far post for the 7-2 final.

Northeastern State and St. Edwards each fired 17 shots on goal in the match.

The RiverHawks return to action Friday when they travel to Springfield, Mo., to play Drury University.