BANNER ELK, N.C. – Lees-McRae men's soccer collected the 4-3 win on Tuesday night after Southern Wesleyan made things interesting in the final five minutes of the contest.
Ryan Aliam,
Noah Daragmeh,
Owen Smith, and
Harrison Watts all scored for the Bobcats.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 4; Southern Wesleyan – 3
LOCATION: Tate Field -- Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (2-2-2/2-0-0), Southern Wesleyan (2-4-1/0-3-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The two sides traded shots on goal early in tonight's match with Jesper Jonsson narrowly missing a goal in the second minute of the match and another shot that went into the hands of Southern Wesleyan's Marco Iniguez.
- Watts got the Bobcats on the board in the 24th minute after he chipped the ball over the outstretched hands of the Warrior goalkeeper.
- Conor Hart and Watts each had two quality chances for the Bobcats in the final seven minute of the first half as Lees-McRae held the one-goal advantage.
- Daragmeh doubled the lead for the Bobcats in the 49th minute off a deflected pass from Watts and Alex Brahm.
- Owen Smith gave Lees-McRae the 3-0 lead eight minutes later off an assist from Daragmeh.
- Brody Schroeder of Southern Wesleyan cut the deficit to two goals off a wonderful corner kick from Feren Nunez in the 64th minute.
- Aliam answered for the Bobcats inte 82nd minute after an unfortunate break for SWU's backline and gave Lees-McRae the 4-1 advantage.
- Nunez notched the Warriors' second goal of the contest in the 85th and Gabriel Melendez made things interesting after scoring in the 87th minute.
- The Bobcats held off the late rally from Southern Wesleyan as Caden Pierce was sent off the pitch for a dangerous play with three seconds remaining.
- Jonathan Kienle made six stops in goal for Lees-McRae with Laurin Boettcher and Gray Smith playing all 90 minutes in the field for the Bobcats.
FOR THE WARRIORS:
- Nunez had four shots on target for Southern Wesleyan with one goal and one assist on the night.
- Marco Iniguez made 10 saves in between the posts for the Warriors, but allowed four costly goals.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae faces Conference Carolinas member Belmont Abbey on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. in Belmont, North Carolina.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
