ANDERSON, S.C. — The No. 9 Anderson University men's soccer team defeated Tusculum 2-0 on Saturday. The Trojans scored both goals in the second half and recorded a shutout as TU finished with three shots on goal.
Juan Pablo Lepervanche scored twice on three shots, put two attempts on goal, and recorded the game-winning goal. These were Lepervanche's first goals of the season, and they came in his first appearance at home this year.
Luis Munoz tallied an assist and finished with three shots, including one on goal.
Asher Risell played all 90 minutes in goal, made three saves, and posted a shutout.
AU generated seven shots and three corner kicks in the first half but could not break through, going to halftime tied 0-0.
Jace Hicks put a shot over the top in the eighth minute, and the Black and Gold followed with two corners in a short span before
Raul Perez and
Julian Caro Sepulveda each missed high.
Jonas Zethofer added another attempt in the 23rd minute, and Munoz had two shots later in the half as the Trojans continued to create chances.
Ivan Cardona recorded AU's shot on goal in the 38th minute, but Pioneers goalkeeper Gavin Roux made the save, and the half closed scoreless after a late stretch that included three AU fouls.
Lepervanche scored twice early in the second half, opening the scoring in the 52nd minute before adding another goal off a Munoz assist in the 55th minute to put the Trojans ahead 2-0. AU kept pressing after the breakthrough, with
Kenta Yagi putting one shot wide and another on frame that was saved, while Munoz later forced a save in the 70th minute. TU answered with a sustained spell around the 68th and 69th minutes, but Risell made three saves during that stretch as the Black and Gold kept the 2-0 margin intact. The second half also featured a physical run with cards to both teams, and the Trojans saw out the final minutes to finish the match with a 2-0 win.
Up next, the Trojans travel to Newberry, S.C., to face Newberry on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m.
