LONDON, Ont. – The Western men's soccer team battled the Laurier Golden Hawks to a 1-0 victory this afternoon on Huron Flats Field. With the win, the Mustangs take a fifth-place ranking in the OUA West division standings and improve their record to 6-6-2.
 
In contrast to the high-scoring women's game before it, the men's matchup remained scoreless until late in the second half. It was a midfield game as neither team tested the opposition's goalie with only five combined shots on net from both teams in the first half. Laurier recorded the first shot on goal with only eight minutes left in the half, while the Mustangs entered the break without an official shot on goal as both teams remained scoreless.
 
The Mustangs were first on the attack after the break with their first shot on goal coming from Chuka Ononye less than five minutes into the half. Laurier almost scored the first goal of the match when a shot narrowly missed the mesh as it bounced off the goal post. Western responded with an opportunity of its own trading the ball on an offensive attack with the shot going just wide. Gustavo Ruthes would finish the job, getting the goal and the win for the Mustangs as he netted the team's only goal with just six minutes left in play when he was able to tip in the ball after a scramble in front of the Golden Hawks net.

Despite strong opportunities for the Golden Hawks in the second half, Western goalie Adam Majer was able to keep Laurier off the board for the shutout as the game ended with a final score of 1-0 for the Mustangs.
 
The Western squad hits the field again on October 19 when they travel to Waterloo to face the Warriors as OUA soccer action continues.