FERRUM, Va. – The Washington and Lee men's soccer team netted three goals in the first half as it held on for a 3-2 victory over Ferrum on Wednesday evening at Penn-Roediger Field.

Ferrum (2-6-2) took an early 1-0 lead after midfielder Aaron Gustine connected on a penalty kick in the 13^th minute. However, the Generals (3-4-1) responded, firing off five consecutive shots over the next 15 minutes to challenge the FC defense.

W&L then scored in rapid fashion with two goals in under two minutes. The Generals took a corner kick in the 27^th minute, and after the initial shot by sophomore midfielder Alex Zelinski  (Rochester Hills, Mich./Brother Rice) was blocked, senior midfielder Connor Pierce (Dallas, Texas/Highland Park) collected the rebound for his second goal of the season. Junior defender Basti Richter (Gauting, Germany/Darlington School) followed with a header shot off a cross from classmate Brendan Farley (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) in the 29^th minute to give the Generals a 2-1 advantage.

Zelinski added the final W&L goal of the first half in the 44^th minute, as the Generals took a 3-1 lead into the break.

The scoreboard remained at 3-1 until the 73^rd minute, when midfielder Josue Cuadra netted an unassisted goal to pull the Panthers to within one goal (3-2). However, W&L played strong in the closing minutes as it secured the 3-2 victory.

Keepers Ben Petitto (Gainesville, Fla./St. Francis Catholic) and Albert Civitorese (Bridgeville, Pa./Sewickley Academy) split time in net, with Petitto earning the win. Each player had one save. FC keepers Walter Romano and David Gupta also split time in net. Romano took the loss, stopping one shot, while Gupta recorded two saves.

W&L returns to action on Saturday, traveling to Randolph College for a 4:30 pm contest.

--GENERALS--