ANDERSON, S.C. — The No. 24 Anderson University (7-2-4, 3-2-3) men's soccer team lost to Catawba (10-0-2, 6-0-1) 2-1 on Wednesday. The Trojans were outshot 9-8 and put two attempts on goal, with all three goals coming after halftime.
Luis Munoz scored and led AU with four shots, putting one on goal.
Unai Bernal played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded two saves.
Kaiden Smith sent AU's first shot wide in the sixth minute before the half settled into a physical stretch with fouls on both sides. The Black and Gold generated the longer attacking stretches of the first half but could not turn them into a goal, including a push from the 16th to 30th minute that featured shots from Munoz and
Jace Hicks and multiple corner kicks. The Trojans continued to create set-piece chances after the half-hour mark, earning three corners between the 30th and 36th minutes, and Munoz put a shot off the top woodwork in the 35th minute. Catawba had a late response, but Bernal saved Guilherme Quintas' shot in the 39th minute, and the half ended without a goal.
Bernal made a save in the opening minutes of the second half, but Catawba went in front on a goal in the 56th minute. The Black and Gold pushed for chances after the goal, earning three corner kicks from the 62nd to 67th minute before Hicks sent a shot high. The half also included a physical stretch with fouls from both sides and yellow cards in the final 10 minutes. Catawba added another goal in the 82nd minute before AU answered, as Munoz scored in the 84th minute to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Henrique Fronza put a shot on goal in the 86th minute, but Catawba finished off the 2-1 result.
Up next, the Trojans host Mars Hill on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. in Anderson, S.C.
