TIFFIN, Ohio – The Saginaw Valley State University men's soccer program road trip continued Thursday afternoon as the team took on the No. 11 Tiffin University at Paradiso Soccer Field. Mzo Mthembu scored all three goals for the Cardinals (2-0-0) within a 10-minute span in the second half to win 3-2 against the Dragons (1-1-1).

A scoreless first half was led by Tiffin in shots 5-3 and shots on goal 3-0 as the Cardinals goalkeeper Nick Kay stopped all three shots he faced. The Dragons took a 1-0 lead with the first goal of the game in the 61st minute. SVSU took advantage of a rebound off a free kick in the 75th minute.

Jayden Cameron put a shot on goal off the free kick that was saved. Felix Tom gathered the rebound on the right side of the goal and centered to Mthembu who slid in the redirect the ball into the goal. Just 34 seconds after the tying goal, Mthembu received a pass and got past the last defender for a breakaway where he beat the keeper low left to give SVSU a 2-1 lead. Just over eight minutes later, Sheikh Manneh got the ball in a two-on-two situation. Running up the right side of the box, he centered it for a sliding Mthembu who, again, deflected the ball into the goal for his third of the match.

Tiffin scored with just over two minutes remaining to bring the game within one but missed out on two close chances to tie off a corner and a free kick.

The Dragons led in shots 13-10 at the end of the match but the Cardinals led 7-6 in shots on goal. Both keepers tallied four saves and both teams totaled nine fouls and four yellow cards. Mthembu scored his first three goals of the 2024 season with Tom and Manneh both got their first assists and points of the year.

Up Next: Saginaw Valley men's soccer stays put in Tiffin, Ohio as they will take on the Northwood Timberwolves (0-1-0) at Paradiso Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 2:30 PM EST on Saturday, September 14.