#1-ranked Dalton State advanced to Montgomery, Ala. and the semifinals of the 2024 SSAC Men's Soccer Championship presented by Newk's Eatery on Friday night with a convincing 3-0 win over Thomas (Ga.) at Dalton Stadium
The initial goal of the match came in the 32' when a batted ball in the box fell at the feet of Jip van den Essen who struck it into the net.
In the second half, a beautiful scoring play that started with Giovanni Poliero continuing to Frank Rodriguez with a lengthy lead pass to Mason Dalton with a right foot finish.
Jack Brown found a streaking Jack Stainrod who made a move and went left foot to left lower 90 for the score.
#1 Dalton State (Ga.) improves to (15-0-2 overall) on the season with the win, while Thomas (Ga.) falls to (6-9-2 overall) with the loss. DS outshot TU 15-6 overall and 10-2 on frame. Jip van den Essen, Mason Dalton, and Jack Stainrod each scored with Frank Rodriguez, Jack Brown, and Giovanni Poliero getting assists on scoring plays. The Roadrunner backline did their usual job and kept Nicolas Leite clean and oft challenged, but he came up with 2 saves and another shutout victory.
#1-ranked Dalton State advances to play #14 William Carey (Miss.) in the semifinals of the 2024 SSAC Men's Soccer Championship presented by Newk's Eatery. The match will take place on Wednesday, November 6, at Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex in Montgomery, Ala., at 7:00 p.m. (CT).