BANNER ELK, N.C. – Lees-McRae men's soccer opened its 2023 season with a 1-0 loss to Tusculum as part of the second annual Shope Classic. Lincoln Memorial took the first match 2-0 in the first match of the day on Tate Field.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Tusculum – 1; Lees-McRae – 0
LOCATION: Tate Field -- Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Tusculum (1-0-0; 0-0-0), Lees-McRae (0-0-1; 0-0-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Ryan Aliam had a shot on goal in the fourth minute of action but Pioneer goalkeeper Nicolas Leite made his first of three saves on the day.
- Tusculum scored the go-ahead goal in the 28th minute after Cristobal Morales found the back of the net off a pass from Ludvid Radberg.
- The Bobcats pressured the backline of Tusuclum in the second half with six shots in the stanza.
- Fletcher Dyson had two shots on goal in the second half and Gray Smith had a quality chance hit the crossbar in the 70th minute of play.
- Jonathan Kienle made his debut for the Bobcats in goal and allowed the lone goal on the day.
FOR THE PIONEERS:
- Tusculum made their lone shot on goal count with Morales' goal in the 28th minute to give the Pioneers the season-opening win.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae welcomes Lincoln Memorial for the final match of the second annual Shope Classic on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. on Tate Field.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
