WILSON – Junior Kevin Vigebo posted a clutch goal at the 9:29 mark to supply the visiting UNC Pembroke men's soccer team with the only goal of the contest against Barton for the 1-0 shutout victory on Wednesday evening at Barton Soccer Field.

Sophomore Rico Laitinen served Vigebo the cross pass to set up the shot that was dispensed from the top of the box for his second goal of the season. The Braves (4-1-0) extended their winning streak over Barton (0-3-1) to 15 games and pulled out their third shutout of the season despite being outshot by the Bulldogs in regional play. 

UNCP logged a 7-6 shot advantage in the first half, but was exceeded by two shots in the second half as Barton finished the contest with 11 shots compared to UNCP's 10. Junior Sam Miles matched a game-high four shots, while Laitinen and James Casserly each added two for UNCP. Barton's Dante De Luca collected four shots as Erik Pajunk had three and Kevin Strassburger claimed two.

"The guys fought very hard against a good Barton team tonight," said UNCP head coach Phil Hindson. "We defended very well. I'm proud of their effort. We are looking forward to play Montevallo on Saturday."

The Bulldogs pulled off a quick shot with less than 15 seconds elapsed in the game, but the Braves totaled four shots in the next 18 minutes to hold a 4-2 advantage. The remainder of the first half was paced by Barton as the Bulldogs drilled out four shots, while holding UNCP shotless for more than 24 minutes with the final shot of the half coming in the 43rd minute.

Again in the second half, Barton opened the final 45 minutes with the first shot, while the Braves tallied their three shots by the 77th minute. Barton attempted a final surge with four shots coming in a two-minute span, but was halted by the Braves' defense.

Senior Ryan Hanson needed to make one save over 90 minutes to record his third clean sheet of the season for UNCP which gives him a 4-1-0 record between the pipes, while Vasily Yakimkin had a game-high two saves for Barton.

Each team garnered one yellow card, but the Black and Gold ended the contest with 21 fouls, 14 coming in the second half, while the Bulldogs only tallied 11 in comparison.

The Braves will continue on the road and resume Peach Belt Conference action in a 4:30 p.m. matchup with Montevallo (2-3-0, 0-0-0 PBC) on Saturday at Varsity Field in Montevallo, Ala.