SPARTANBURG, S.C.--Anderson Men's Soccer made the short trip to Spartanburg on Thursday evening to kick off the 2025 season against No. 25 Converse. After conceding the first goal, the Trojans put up four unanswered to handily defeat the nationally-ranked Valkyries 4-1 and bring home the victory. 

"Great start to the season," said Head Men's Soccer Coach Michael Zion. "Proud of the way the guys responded to going down a goal early in the game." 

Converse got on the board first by way of a corner kick set piece goal 25 minutes into the match. Just two minutes later, Julian Caro (Medellin, Colombia) equalized it for the Trojans, getting on the end of a cross from Emmanuel Arkoh (Barcelona, Spain) for AU's first goal of the season. The game was level at one going into the break. 

Anderson's offense wasted no time following the intermission, as Arkoh picked up his second assist of the night with a ball to Jonas Zethofer (Vienna, Austria) who tucked it away in the 48th minute. 

The Black and Gold then sealed the deal with back-to-back goals in minute 78 and 80 with JJ Alvarez (Santiago, Chili) and Leone Corzani (Forli, Italy) adding to the Trojan goal tally. 

"We scored some great goals tonight," added Zion, "and it was great to have so many guys get involved in the final third. Now we go back to work and get ready for the next one" 

AU outshot Converse 19 to seven, with eight of those coming on frame for AU compared to only two SOG for the host team. The numbers also favored the Trojans in fouls conceded, with AU committing 12 while drawing 15.  

Anderson continues their season this Sunday (Sept. 7) at home against Emmanuel. The matchup will mark the first-ever meeting between the Trojans and the Lions and is set to begin at 7 PM.