ANDERSON, S.C. — The No. 24 Anderson (8-2-4, 4-2-3) men's soccer team defeated Mars Hill (6-6-2, 2-5-0) 3-0 on Sunday at Spero Financial Field.
The Black and Gold created two early shots on goal, with
Andres Giraldo and
Jonas Zethofer each forcing saves in the opening 10 minutes.
Kenta Yagi opened the scoring in the 18th minute off an assist from
Julian Caro Sepulveda. The Trojans then handled a physical stretch that included multiple fouls and a yellow card while Mars Hill generated pressure, including a team save on Edward Saia's shot and three corner kicks between the 25th and 33rd minutes.
Leone Corzani added a 41st-minute finish from
Raul Perez before Mars Hill earned a late corner, and AU carried a 2-0 advantage into halftime.
Asher Risell kept Mars Hill off the board with saves in the 49th and 55th minutes while the Black and Gold answered with a Zethofer shot and back-to-back corner kicks from the 56th through 57th minutes. AU continued to generate chances after the hour mark, with
Jamie Round and
Luis Munoz each attempting shots and Munoz putting one on goal in the 77th minute. Mars Hill pushed late, generating five attacking actions from the 80th through 90th minutes, but Risell added two more saves.
Aryan Benitez finished the Trojans' only goal of the second half in the 86th minute off an assist from Nicolas Ortiz, extending the lead to 3-0 before AU closed out the win.
Yagi scored the game-winning first goal and put his only shot on goal. Risell made four saves over 90 minutes and recorded a shutout. Corzani scored on his lone shot attempt. Benitez also scored with his only shot on goal.
Up next, the Trojans travel to Harrogate, Tennessee, to face Lincoln Memorial on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m.
