COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Capital University men's soccer team secured their ninth win of the season behind a three-goal performance and clean defensive record that lifted the team to their eighth shutout of the season over the Muskingum University Fighting Muskies. 

The Comets, now 9-4-1 overall and 4-1-1 in the conference, defeated Muskingum behind a blistering goal by Jarrett Puckett, a solid header from Jacob Taylor and a Muskingum own goal. 

In the match, Capital out-shot Muskingum by a healthy 22-5 margin, including a 13-3 advantage in attempts on goal. 

The heavy Capital pressure finally paid off for the Comets in the 37th minute of the first half. Bailey Lach drew a free kick at the top corner of the penalty area. With the set piece, Jarrett Puckett stepped up to the ball and uncorked a rocket of a free kick to the back post upper 90. The goal was a much needed relief for Cap who outshot the visitors by a 14-2 margin in the first half. The highlight reel goal was Puckett's second goal of the year after he had previously scored at Oberlin earlier this season. 

The goal was good enough to get Capital to a 1-0 halftime lead, which provided a much needed lift for Capital heading into the second half of play. 

Out of the break, Cap pressed for another goal and got one in the 53rd minute of play. Chase Geddis lined up a free kick and served in a brilliant ball that found Jacob Taylor wide open at the top of the six-yard box to head home his first goal of the season. The goal gave Capital enough breathing room to see out the match, but the COmets would tack on a third insurance goal in the 61st courtesy of a Muskie own goal. Puckett served another free kick into the penalty area where the Muskingum defender sliced the ball into the back of his own net. 

Defensively, the Comets backline held strong for a full 90 minutes despite just one player playing the whole game. Colton Daugherty lasted the distance and commanded the back line to their eighth shutout of the season. The starting four of Daugherty, Matt Scheper, Bailey Lach, and Puckett played the majority of the match, but Alex Moore, Majd Awad, and Jared Wright came on relief to ensure the shutout. Connor Sexton started in goal and made two saves before being subbed for Kellen Sargent who made one save in net. 

In the Muskingum net, Zach Merchasano stopped eight shots, while Jacob Clevenger had two saves in a relief appearance. 

Capital will face three tough matches to end their season as they travel to Ohio Northern on Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The team will then travel to the previously undefeated Wilmington College on Wednesday, October 27th before hosting the top-10 ranked Otterbein Cardinals on October 30th. All three matches will serve as pivotal contests in settling the OAC Tournament seeding for Capital.