LANGHORNE, PA- The Cairn University men's soccer team played an impressive second half and handily defeated the University of Valley Forge Patriots by a score of 3 to 0 in this afternoon's out-of-conference matchup.   

The Highlanders welcomed former Cairn athlete and Coach of the Valley Forge Patriots Glodi Konga to Langhorne, seeking to continue their historical success against the Patriots soccer program. After an incredibly tightly-contested matchup last season, the Highlanders knew today's match would be no cakewalk. Seeking a big win to bring their record to .500, Cairn played with a great deal of fire from the start, but not much composure in the first half. The Highlanders managed 10 shots in the half, with only 4 on net and no substantial goal-scoring chances. While the offense pressed, the defense held strong allowing only 1 shot thanks to the solid play and organization of junior Tyler Smith and senior stalwart on the right side Kenneth Mercadante.  

 The Highlanders got on the board early in the second half when Brett Kikendall controlled a Joey Weaver pass, turned and fed a waiting Noah Akers who calmly deposited his first goal of the season into the back of the net. Not to be denied himself, Kikendall got on the board four minutes later as a corner kick found the head of Smith who redirected the ball Kikendall's way and the sophomore finished into an empty net. This is the Highlanders' second straight game with an assist by a defenseman as Mercadante dished out an assist of his own earlier this week. The game stood pat for a long stretch until the 6'3 sophomore Jared Hacking entered the game for the Highlanders. Hacking made his presence known; as over the next 12 minutes the imposing midfielder committed two fouls, got taken down on a breakaway and drew a yellow card on the Patriots keeper, left the game with a slight injury, and returned a mere four minutes later to powerfully blast his first goal of the season between the posts. 

The Highlanders and Coach Luke Gibson will look to improve on their 2 game winning streak and head above .500 for the first time this season when they host Wesley College at 1 PM this Saturday, 9/16.