GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - Despite sophomore Lees Squires, the
nation's leading scorer, adding another goal to his numbers, the
no. 5 Bobcats were unable to stop no. 20 Tusculum's advance,
falling 3-1 to the Pioneers on Wednesday night. With the loss the
Bobcats fall to 9-2 while the Pioneers improve to 9-1 on the
year.
Tusculum opened the scoring with two goals inside of a minute
midway through the first half, beginning with Anteneh Lemma's sixth
goal of the season off a through ball from Scott Lucky in the 24th
minute. Lemma struck again 58 seconds later with his seventh of the
season, also assisted by Lucky to put the Pioneers up 2-0 in the
25th minute.
Lees-McRae halved the lead midway through the 34th minute when
Lee Squires (Sheffield, England) took a pass from David Palmer
(Gateshead, England), and delivered a brilliant finish past the
Pioneer keeper to cut the Tusculum advantage to 2-1 heading into
the break. The goal was Squires 14th of the season, despite being
sidelined for the past two games with injury. Palmer earned his
second assist of the season on the play.
South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week Bruno
Conceicão extended the Pioneer lead to 3-1 in the 61st
minute, scoring off a touch pass from Lucas Paulini. Lemma was also
credited with an assist on the goal.
Sean Paradise (North Port, Fla.) had five saves in the net for
the Bobcats in the loss while the Pioneer's Lance Moore added three
saves to his stats. The Pioneers outshot the Bobcats 18-10 in the
contest.
The Bobcats resume their Conference Carolinas schedule on
Saturday when they host Pfieffer University in the second match of
a men's and women's doubleheader. Part of Lees-McRae's Homecoming
Weekend, the contest is set to begin at 3 p.m. at Tate
Field.
